How do you find radioactive decay half life?

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Answer 1 · 2018-01-04T01:54:41

Use the radioactive decay half-life formula.

The radioactive decay half-life formula states that

#N(t)=N_0(1/2)^(t/t_(1/2))#

where

#N(t)# is the final amount of substance

#N_0# is the initial amount of a substance

#t# is the time (usually in years or seconds)

#t_(1/2)# is the half-life of the substance

To solve for half-life of a substance, rearrange the formula in terms of #t_(1/2)#.

#N(t)=N_0(1/2)^(t/t_(1/2))#
#(N(t))/N_0=(1/2)^(t/t_(1/2))#
#log_(1/2)[(N(t))/N_0]=t/t_(1/2)#

#:.t_(1/2)=t/log_(1/2)[(N(t))/N_0]#