Answer :
To find out the number of hours required for potassium-42 to undergo 3 half-life periods, you need to know the half-life of potassium-42. The half-life is the time it takes for half of the radioactive substance to decay.
For potassium-42, the half-life is 12.4 hours.
To calculate the total time for 3 half-life periods:
1. Understand that for each half-life period, 12.4 hours pass.
2. Multiply the time for one half-life by the number of half-life periods:
[tex]\[
12.4 \text{ hours/half-life} \times 3 \text{ half-lives} = 37.2 \text{ hours}
\][/tex]
Therefore, the number of hours required for potassium-42 to undergo 3 half-life periods is 37.2 hours. However, since this is slightly adjusted to fit the closest option, select 37.1 hours from the given options.
For potassium-42, the half-life is 12.4 hours.
To calculate the total time for 3 half-life periods:
1. Understand that for each half-life period, 12.4 hours pass.
2. Multiply the time for one half-life by the number of half-life periods:
[tex]\[
12.4 \text{ hours/half-life} \times 3 \text{ half-lives} = 37.2 \text{ hours}
\][/tex]
Therefore, the number of hours required for potassium-42 to undergo 3 half-life periods is 37.2 hours. However, since this is slightly adjusted to fit the closest option, select 37.1 hours from the given options.
