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Given that the fraction of atoms left after 120 years is (1)/(64):

Mathematics

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Answer

20 years\text{20 years}

Step-by-step solution

3 steps
  1. Determine the number of half-lives (nn) that have passed.

    The fraction of radioactive atoms remaining after time tt is given by the formula:

    NN0=(12)n\frac{N}{N_0} = \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^n

    where NN is the number of atoms remaining, N0N_0 is the initial number of atoms, and nn is the number of half-lives.

    Given that the fraction of atoms left after 120 years is 164\frac{1}{64}:

    164=(12)n\frac{1}{64} = \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^n

    We know that 26=642^6 = 64, so 164=(12)6\frac{1}{64} = \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^6.
    Therefore, n=6n = 6.
    This means 6 half-lives have passed in 120 years.

  2. Calculate the half-life (T1/2T_{1/2}) of the material.

    The number of half-lives (nn) is also related to the total time (tt) and the half-life (T1/2T_{1/2}) by the formula:

    n=tT1/2n = \frac{t}{T_{1/2}}

    We need to find T1/2T_{1/2}, so we can rearrange the formula:

    T1/2=tnT_{1/2} = \frac{t}{n}

    Substitute the given total time t=120t = 120 years and the calculated number of half-lives n=6n = 6:

    T1/2=120 years6T_{1/2} = \frac{120 \, \text{years}}{6} T1/2=20 yearsT_{1/2} = 20 \, \text{years}
  3. Compare the result with the given options.

    The calculated half-life is 20 years, which corresponds to option C.

    The half-life of the material is 20 years\text{20 years}.

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