Question

If 3.0 grams of strontium-90 in a rock sample remained in 1989, approximately how many grams of strontium-90 were present in the original rock sample in 1933?

Answer 1

Answer:

11.29 grams of strontium-90 were present in the original rock sample in 1933.

Step-by-step explanation:

Strontium has a half-life of 28.8 years. Therefore,

1989 - 1933 = 56 years.

56 / 28.8 = 1.94 half-lives

Thus, the quantity of the radioisotope remaining will double for each half-life elapsed. moving backwards in time.

Therefore, moving backwards in time by 1.94 half-lives, the quantity remaining will double by 1.94 times.

Thus, the amount remaining in 1933 is

3.0 × (1.94)² = 11.29 grams