The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for a quantity of the isotope to be reduced to half its initial mass. Starting with 135grams of a radioactive isotope, how much will be left after
4half-lives?

Question

The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for a quantity of the isotope to be reduced to half its initial mass. Starting with 135grams of a radioactive isotope, how much will be left after 
4half-lives?

coconutjj · Answer

Can you try this one by your self?

coconutjj · Answer

It's like the previous one... I helped u with

anonymous · Answer

I am trying but its truly not clicking in my brain. and i have to get 4 right in a row to pass this! I did the last 2

coconutjj · Answer

Well we have our starting amount 135grams, what does a "half life" mean..

anonymous · Answer

So i just divide it by 2?

coconutjj · Answer

why don't we say times by 1/2 for the sake of this question

anonymous · Answer

would the answer be 33.75?

coconutjj · Answer

no... it cannot be.. this element loses 1 half every time... so what does it mean when they say 4 half lives?

anonymous · Answer

2 full lives

coconutjj · Answer

When they say "half life" they mean how many times the element splits in half.

anonymous · Answer

i give up. thanks for your help. Please someone else read this!!! lol

coconutjj · Answer

Open Study is here so other people can help you with your homework. Not do your homework.