An isotope of a radioactive element has half-life equal to 5 thousand years. Imagine a sample that is so old that most of its radioactive atoms have decayed, leaving just 20 percent of the initial quantity of the isotope remaining. How old is the sample? Give your answer in thousands of years, correct to one decimal place. Age :  ___ thousand years.

The Solar System
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ISBN:9781337672252
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Chapter17: Astrobiology: Life On Other Worlds
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An isotope of a radioactive element has half-life equal to 5 thousand years.

Imagine a sample that is so old that most of its radioactive atoms have decayed, leaving just 20 percent of the initial quantity of the isotope remaining.

How old is the sample?

Give your answer in thousands of years, correct to one decimal place.

Age :  ___ thousand years.

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