A radioactive X with a half life 1.4 109 years decays to Y which is stable. A sample of the rock from a cave was found to contain X and Y in the ratio 1 : 7. The age of the rock is
- 1.96 109 years
- 3.92 109 years
- 4.20 109 years
- 8.40 109 years
Answer
(3) 4.20 109 years
Solution
Let N0 be the initial number of X nuclei.
∵ X : Y = 1 : 7, the fraction of X left = NN0 = 11 + 7 = 18
⇒ NN0 = ( 12 )n = 18 ⇒ n = 3 half-lives
∴ Age of the rock = 3 1.4 109 = 4.20 109 years
Answer: (3)