Chapter 20, Problem 32QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The age of the charcoal sample is to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

The amount a particular radioactive isotope after time t is given as

$\text{ln}\frac{N_t}{N_o}\text{=}-\text{k}t$

Here, $k$ is the rate constant for the radioactive decay, N_t is the amount of sample left after time t, and N_o is the initial amount of the sample.

Nearly all radioactive decay is of first order and its rate constant is given as follows:

$k\text{ = }\frac{0.693}{t_{1/2}}$

Here, $t_{1/2}$ is the half-life of the radioactive substance.