Half-Life Calculations and Concepts
A Grade 10 Science worksheet covering half-life calculations, radioactive decay, and related concepts with multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blanks, and short answer questions.
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Half-Life Calculations and Concepts
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Show all your work for calculation problems.
1. What is the definition of half-life?
The time it takes for a radioactive substance to completely decay.
The time it takes for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.
The time it takes for a radioactive substance to double its mass.
The time it takes for a non-radioactive substance to become radioactive.
2. A sample of Iodine-131 has a half-life of 8 days. If you start with 100 grams, how much will remain after 24 days?
50 grams
25 grams
12.5 grams
6.25 grams
1. The half-life of a radioactive isotope is affected by temperature and pressure.
True
False
2. Carbon-14 dating is used to determine the age of ancient artifacts by measuring the remaining Carbon-14.
True
False
1. The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation is called .
2. After two half-lives, of the original radioactive material will remain.
3. The stable product of the decay of a radioactive parent isotope is called the isotope.
1. Explain why the half-life of a radioactive isotope is considered a constant value.
2. A radioactive sample has a half-life of 5 years. If you initially have 80 grams of the sample, calculate how much will be left after 15 years. Show your work.