Question #e627c

1 Answer
SCooke
Jul 6, 2017

37.44 days

Explanation:

We can use the direct formula for this, or use a simple arithmetic ratio if the amounts work out well. The definition of half-life is the time it takes for half of the substance to decay. Thus, after one (1) half-life, #1/2# of the sample is left. After another half-life, half of THAT will be gone: #1/2 * 1/2 = 1/4#.
Putting them together we conveniently get our desired #3/4# decayed thorium.
With a half-life of 18.72 days, this amount of decay will occur in 37.44 days.

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