Question:medium

A sample of radioactive element contains $8 \times 10^{16}$ active nuclei. The half-life of the element is 15 days. The number of nuclei decayed after 60 days is

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Always read the question carefully to see whether it asks for the number of nuclei remaining or the number of nuclei decayed. $0.5 \times 10^{16}$ is the remaining amount, which is a common trap option!
Updated On: Jun 4, 2026
  • $7.5 \times 10^{16}$
  • $2.0 \times 10^{16}$
  • $0.5 \times 10^{16}$
  • $4.0 \times 10^{16}$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Note the data.
Starting nuclei $N_0=8\times10^{16}$, half-life $T_{1/2}=15$ days, total time $t=60$ days. We want how many have decayed.

Step 2: Count the half-lives.
Number of half-lives is \[ n=\frac{t}{T_{1/2}}=\frac{60}{15}=4. \] So four half-lives pass.

Step 3: Recall the decay rule.
After $n$ half-lives the number still left is \[ N=N_0\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^n. \]

Step 4: Compute the surviving nuclei.
\[ N=8\times10^{16}\times\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^4=8\times10^{16}\times\frac{1}{16}=0.5\times10^{16}. \]

Step 5: Understand "decayed".
Decayed nuclei are the ones that are no longer active, i.e. the starting number minus the survivors.

Step 6: Subtract.
\[ N_{\text{decayed}}=8\times10^{16}-0.5\times10^{16}=7.5\times10^{16}. \]

Step 7: State the result.
The number decayed is $7.5\times10^{16}$, which is option (1).
\[ \boxed{7.5\times10^{16}} \]
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