Example of Radioactive Decay 2

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Calculus/ODEs: A sample contains 50 grams of radium-226. After 500 years, 6.5 grams remain. What is the half-life of Ra-226? We also give an alternate solution using the equation A(t) = A0 (1/2)^{t/HL}.
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I can't believe I missed this problem on a test previously..I'm confident I won't miss it on the final now...this is like giving us free points. Thanks

ianfresno
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You're welcome! As I note below, the radioactive decay problems are often taken for granted. Not difficult, but easy to forget.

MathDoctorBob
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@ian559fresno You're welcome! Same here way back when. The problem is that these problems are usually just writing the formula down and solving. So one never re-derives the formula enough times to remember how to re-derive it from scratch when you forget it. - Bob

MathDoctorBob
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@Birsh2009 You're welcome! Deceptively lightweight, but forewarned is forearmed. - Bob

MathDoctorBob