Chapter 24.2, Problem 24.6BFP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Age of fragment of the woolen tunic that is found in ancient cemetery in Africa has to be determined using the given information.

Concept Introduction:

The half–life period for first order reaction is as follows:

  $\begin{array}{l}{\text{t}}_{\text{1/2}}\text{=}\frac{\ln \text{ 2}}{\text{k}}\\ \text{Where,}\\ \text{k = Rate constant}\\ {\text{t}}_{\text{1/2}}\text{= half-life}\end{array}$

Integrated rate law for a first order reaction is given below

  $\begin{array}{c}t\text{ = }\frac{1}{k}\ln \frac{A_0}{A_t}\\ \text{where,}\\ \text{ln}\text{=}\text{natural}\text{logarithm}\\ {\text{A}}_{\text{0}}\text{= Activity}\text{of}\text{A}\text{at}\text{time}\text{t}\text{=}\text{0}\\ {\text{A}}_{\text{t}}\text{= Activity}\text{of}\text{A}\text{after}\text{time, t}\\ \text{k}\text{=}\text{rate}\text{constant}\end{array}$

Radioactive decay is a first order reaction.