how would you do this equation?

Question

The half-life of polonium-218 is 3.0 minutes. If you start with 10.0 g, how long will it be before only 2.8 g remains?

Answer 1

Hello, Demetrise,

The equation that covers half-life reactions is:

where N₀ is the initial quantity

N_t is the quantity remaining after time, t

t_1/2 is the half life

t is the time elapsed

We have the information we need to solve for t, but I don't have an easy process for solving this other than to take the natural log of both sides. Perhaps another tutor can help with this part. If I go to Wolfram Alpha or another half-life calculator, the answer is around 5.51 minutes.

Bob