63 Radioactive Decay Let Q represent a mass in grams of radi

63. Radioactive Decay Let Q represent a mass (in grams) of radioactive plutonium (239Pu), whose half-life is 24,100 years. The quantity of plutonium present after t years is Q = 16()1/24,100 (a) Determine the initial quantity (when t = 0). (b) Determine the quantity present after 75,000 years. (c) Use a graphing utility to graph the function over the interval t = 0 to t = 150,000.

Solution

Q= 16(1/2)^t/24,100

a. Initial quantity means t=0

Q= 16(1/2)^0/24,100=16(1)=16

b. at t=75000

Q=16(1/2)^75000/24100= 1.85