Chapter 21.3, Problem 1PPC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The system thatbest represents thegiven sample of radon gas after 10 days is to be identified.

Concept Introduction:

Radioactivity is defined as the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus tends to lose energy by emitting radiation. The formula for the determination of radioactivity is as follows:

$\ln \frac{N_t}{N_0}=-kt,$

where $N_t$ and $N_0$ are the concentrations of the compound at time t and at time zero, respectively, k is the rate constant, and t is time.

Radon has a half-life of 3.8 days.

Half-life of a compound is the time in which the quantity of the substance reduces by half. Half-life for the first-order reaction is determined by the following equation:

$t_{\raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$2$}\right.}=\frac{0.693}{k}$.