Radioactive elements decay via first-order kinetics. Consider a certain type of nucleus that has a rate constant of 1.0 * 10^-³ h^-¹. A sample contains 5.0 *10⁹ radioactive nuclides. Calculate the number of nuclides remaining after 39 days have passed. A) 64 B) 7.8 * 10^-¹¹ C) 2.0 * 10⁹ D) 5.0* 10⁹ E) 2.5 *10⁹

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of nuclides remaining can be calculated using the first-order decay formula: N = N0 * e^(-kt). Here, N0 = 5.0 x 10^9, k = 1.0 x 10^-3 h^-1, and t = 39 days = 936 hours. Plugging these values into the formula gives approximately 2.0 x 10^9 nuclides remaining.

Radioactive Elements Decay Via First-Order Kinetics