If a 500.0 g sample of technetium-99 decays to 62.5 g of technetium-99 remaining in 639,000 years, what is the half-life of technetium-99?

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If a 500.0 g sample of technetium-99 decays to 62.5 g of technetium-99
remaining in 639,000 years, what is the half-life of technetium-99?

 

The image presents a graph depicting the decay of radioactive particles over time. The x-axis (horizontal axis) is labeled "Time (days)" and ranges from 0 to 10 days. The y-axis (vertical axis) is labeled "Counts per minute" and ranges from 0 to 80 counts per minute.

The graph shows an exponential decay curve, indicating that as time progresses, the counts per minute decrease. At the start (day 0), the counts per minute are at their highest point, approximately 80. The counts per minute decrease rapidly initially and then more gradually as time goes on, approaching closer to zero but never actually reaching it within the 10-day timeframe shown.

The data points follow a smooth curve that represents the decay process, illustrating a fundamental principle in radioactive decay that the count of radioactive events per minute diminishes over time in an exponential manner. This graphical representation can be useful for understanding the rate at which a radioactive substance loses its activity.
Transcribed Image Text:The image presents a graph depicting the decay of radioactive particles over time. The x-axis (horizontal axis) is labeled "Time (days)" and ranges from 0 to 10 days. The y-axis (vertical axis) is labeled "Counts per minute" and ranges from 0 to 80 counts per minute. The graph shows an exponential decay curve, indicating that as time progresses, the counts per minute decrease. At the start (day 0), the counts per minute are at their highest point, approximately 80. The counts per minute decrease rapidly initially and then more gradually as time goes on, approaching closer to zero but never actually reaching it within the 10-day timeframe shown. The data points follow a smooth curve that represents the decay process, illustrating a fundamental principle in radioactive decay that the count of radioactive events per minute diminishes over time in an exponential manner. This graphical representation can be useful for understanding the rate at which a radioactive substance loses its activity.
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