The half-life of a radioactive isotope is 10 years. What fraction of the original sample will remain after 30 years? MCQ with Answer and Explanation

The half-life of a radioactive isotope is 10 years. What fraction of the original sample will remain after 30 years?
A. 1/8
B. 1/4
C. 1/16
D. 1/2
Answer: Option A
Solution (By JKExamLibrary)
The half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms to decay. After 10 years (1 half-life), 1/2 remains. After 20 years (2 half-lives), 1/4 remains. After 30 years (3 half-lives), the fraction remaining is (1/2)^3 = 1/8. Thus, one-eighth of the original sample will remain.

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