A 256-gallon barrel of radioactive Urikium is spilled at a factory. The entire area is evacuated! Experts say that the area can be deemed safe after only 2 gallons remain. Unfortunately, it is too toxic for any clean-up efforts. She
residents will just have to wait for the Urikium to evaporate. Fortunately, Urikium has a half-life of only three hours.
That means that half of the Urikium will evaporate every three hours.
Fill in the chart below by writing the number of gallons of Urikium that remains after each time period.
# of hours after spill
0
21 24
3
6
15
9
12
18
# of gallons remaining
According to the chart, after how many hours will it be safe for residents to return to the area?
hours
Plot the points above on the graph below. Connect the points with a smooth line.
Urikium Disaster Graph
- 250gal.