For an unknown sample of the experiment, students measure 1679 counts when they first receive their sample and 1336 counts four minutes later. calculate the half-life t1/2of their sample.

Half life of the sample,

Given:

Initial amount, N = 1679

Final count of amount, N' = 1336

Time elapsed, t = 4 min = 240 s

Solution:

Now, To calculate the half life, using the relation:

Now, substituting the given values in the above mentioned formula:

Taking log on both the sides:

ln(0.796) = \frac{4}{t_{\frac{1}{2}}}ln(0.5)