This is a multiple choice question. A certain radioactive substance is decaying so that at time t, measured in years, the amount of the substance, in grams, is given by the function f(t)=-e^t +10. what is the rate of decay of the substance after 1 year?

the choice are
a) -3 g/year
b) -ln 2 g/year
c) -2.72 g/year
d)-1.53 g/year

1 Answer
VNVDVI
Apr 21, 2018

C.

Explanation:

If the amount of substance left is given by #f(t)=-e^t+10,# the rate of decay will be given by the first derivative of that function.

So, find the first derivative, recalling that the derivative of the natural exponential function #e^t# is just itself, and that the #10,# a constant, goes away, as the derivative of a constant is zero.

#f'(t)=-e^t# (Units: g/year)

To determine the rate of decay after #1# year, evaluate the derivative at #t=1:#

#f'(1)=-e^1approx-2.72# g/year

The correct answer is C.

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