A radioactive source has a half-life of 6 hours. What fraction of the nuclei remains after 24 hours?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. 1/16

  1. Step 1: 24 / 6 = 4 half-lives. Step 2. Halve four times: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16. Answer: 1/16. Why not the others: The others miscount the half-lives.

Practise more Atomic Physics Space and Magnetism.

Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed UK GCSE mock tests.