if a radioactive isotope has a half-life of one year, how much of the original sample will be left at the end of the second year?
To calculate how much of the original sample will be left at the end of the second year, we need to consider that each half-life reduces the amount of the radioactive isotope by half.
If the half-life of the isotope is one year, after the first year, half of the original sample will remain. So, after the second year, we need to further halve the remaining sample from the first year.
To calculate it mathematically, let's assume the original sample is 100 units:
- After the first year: 100 units / 2 = 50 units remaining
- After the second year: 50 units / 2 = 25 units remaining
Therefore, at the end of the second year, 25 units of the original sample will be left.