A sample of radioactive material is obtained from a very old rock. The activity of the rock over a period of time is monitored, and lnA is plotted as a function of t such as in Figure (b). The slope of the line has a value of -6.1 ×10^−8y^−1.   FInd the half-life in years.

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A sample of radioactive material is obtained from a very old rock. The activity of the rock over a period of time is monitored, and lnA is plotted as a function of t such as in Figure (b). The slope of the line has a value of -6.1 ×10^−8y^−1.

 

FInd the half-life in years. 

Problem 6: The equation for the activity of a
radioactive substance as a function of time is given by
A = Age-t,
and is plotted in Figure (a). If we take the natural log of both
sides of this equation, the result is the following:
In A = -At + In Ao-
Notice that our equation now has the form of an equation of a
line, y = mx + b, with y = In A and a slope of A. This line
is plotted in Figure (b).
A
A = Age at
-λt
(a)
In A
(b)
slope = -
Transcribed Image Text:Problem 6: The equation for the activity of a radioactive substance as a function of time is given by A = Age-t, and is plotted in Figure (a). If we take the natural log of both sides of this equation, the result is the following: In A = -At + In Ao- Notice that our equation now has the form of an equation of a line, y = mx + b, with y = In A and a slope of A. This line is plotted in Figure (b). A A = Age at -λt (a) In A (b) slope = -
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