Radioactive decay Radioactive substances decay at a rate that is proportional to the amount present. Thus, if k is a constant and the amount present is x, the decay rate is
This means that the relationship between the time and the amount of substance present can be found by evaluating the integral
(a) Evaluate the integral to find the relationship.
(b) Use properties of logarithms and exponential functions to write x as a function of t.
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 12 Solutions
Mathematical Applications for the Management, Life, and Social Sciences