Chapter 20, Problem 34QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The age of the given rock sample is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

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

$\text{ln}\frac{N_t}{N_o}\text{=}-kt$

Here, $k$

is the rate constant for the radioactive decay, $N_t$ is the amount of it left after time $t$, and $N_0$ is the initial amount of the sample.

Nearly, all the radioactive decay is of the 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.