Question

Imagine the following scenario involving marbles as "radioactive isotopes".

Let's say the half-life of green marbles is 1 million years.

In one hand, you're holding 2 green marbles. In your other hand, you're holding 500,000 green marbles.

Hypothetically, noting that we have two different starting amounts of "isotopes", how long will it take for half of each amount to decay?

Answer 1

Answer:

1 million years

Explanation:

The half life of a radioactive isotope refers to the time it takes for the radioactive isotope to decay to half of its original amount.

The half life of a radioactive isotope is independent of the amount of starting material. Hence, whether the amount of starting material is small or large, the half life of the substance remains the same.

Hence the half life of 2 green marbles and 500,000 green marbles is 1 million years.