Applications and ExamplesThe mean life of a radioactive
Chapter 7, Problem 39E(choose chapter or problem)
Problem 39E
Applications and Examples
The mean life of a radioactive nucleus Physicists using the radioactivity equation y = y0e -kt call the number 1 /k the mean life of a radioactive nucleus. The mean life of a radon nucleus is about 1/0.18 = 5.6 days. The mean life of a carbon-14 nucleus is more than 8000 years. Show that 95% of the radioactive nuclei originally present in a sample will disintegrate within three mean lifetimes, i.e., by time t = 3/k. Thus, the mean life of a nucleus gives a quick way to estimate how long the radioactivity of a sample will last.
Unfortunately, we don't have that question answered yet. But you can get it answered in just 5 hours by Logging in or Becoming a subscriber.
Becoming a subscriber
Or look for another answer