Question Detail
Question
The table shows the results of an experiment to find the half-life of a radioactive substance. What estimate of the half-life of the substance can be obtained from the readings in the table?
| time (s) | count rate (counts/s) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 800 |
| 60 | 620 |
| 120 | 480 |
| 180 | 370 |
| 240 | 290 |
| 300 | 220 |
Correct Answer
Option C is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
The half-life (T_half) is the time it takes for the count rate (or activity) of a radioactive substance to reduce to half its initial value.Let's examine the data:At time = 0 s, count rate = 800 counts/s. Half of this is 400 counts/s.Looking at the table, the count rate drops from 480 counts/s (at 120 s) to 370 counts/s (at 180 s). The value of 400 counts/s falls between these two points. Thus, the half-life is between 120 s and 180 s.Let's check the options for the best estimate:If T_half = 120 s, then at 120 s, the count rate should be 800/2 = 400. The table shows 480. (Error: |480-400|=80)If T_half = 180 s, then at 180 s, the count rate should be 800/2 = 400. The table shows 370. (Error: |370-400|=30)Comparing the errors, the half-life of 180 s provides a closer estimate to the observed value at 180s than 120s does for 120s. Therefore, 180 seconds is the best estimate among the given options.
Hint
Identify the initial count rate and then find the time at which the count rate approximately halves. Evaluate which option provides the closest match to the expected decay.