High School

Determine the percent activity of the sample of rhenium- 186 remaining after 4 half-lives.
Sample of rhenium-186:___%

Answer :

The percent activity of the sample of rhenium-186 remaining after 4 half-lives is 6.25%, calculated by halving the activity four times.

The percent activity of the rhenium-186 remaining after 4 half-lives is 6.25%.

Here's how we can find it:

Half-life: We don't have the specific half-life of rhenium-186 provided in the question. However, the concept applies regardless of the actual half-life value.

Number of half-lives: We are given that 4 half-lives have passed.

Activity remaining: The fraction of the original activity remaining after n half-lives can be calculated using the formula:

Fraction remaining = (1/2)^n

where n is the number of half-lives.

Calculate the fraction remaining: In this case, n = 4:

Fraction remaining = (1/2)^4 = 1/16

Convert to percentage: Multiply the fraction remaining by 100 to express it as a percentage:

Percent remaining = (1/16) x 100% = 6.25%

Therefore, after 4 half-lives, only 6.25% of the original activity of the rhenium-186 sample remains.