Phosphorus-32 has a half life of 14.3 days. how many days will it take for radioactive sample to decay to 1/8 it's size?

43.3 days

Explanation:

Half-life of Phosphorus-32 = 14.3 days

First we have to calculate the rate constant, we use the formula :

Now we have to calculate the days for radioactive sample to decay to 1/8 it's size

Expression for rate law for first order kinetics is given by:

where,

k = rate constant  =

t = age of sample  = ?

a = let initial size  = 1

a - x = amount left after decay process  =

Now put all the given values in above equation, we get

Thus it will take 43.3 days for radioactive sample to decay to 1/8 it's size.

radioactive decay occurs in unstable atomic nuclei – that is, ones that don't have enough binding energy to hold

the nucleus together due to an excess of either protons or neutrons.

conduction is the transfer of thermal energy (heat in transfer) due to collisions between the molecules in the object. collisions between adjacent atoms and molecules transfer kinetic energy from the warmer to the cooler object. the objects must be in physical contact.