How should scientists set up the control group in this experiment

Asample of radium-226 will decay 1/4 of its original amount after 3200years. what is the half-life of radium-226?

Two metal blocks that have slightly different temperatures are placed next to one another. after five minutes, they both have lower but equal temperatures. according to the law of conservation of energy, what  most likelyhappened? energy was created inside the blocks.energy was destroyed inside the blocks.energy was absorbed into the blocks from outside the system.energy was transferred from the warmer block to the cooler block.

I'm learning about the periodic tables and what each subject's configuration is. for example, hydrogen is 1s^1, but i don't understand how you get that. can someone me understand how to figure out how to figure this out? sorry if the question makes no sense, but it would really a lot if you could me understand! you so much if you can!