Mercury -197 is used for kidney scans and has a half-life of 3 days. If the amount of mercury-197 needed for a study is 1.0 gram and the time allowed for shipment is 15 days, how much mercury-197 will need to be ordered?

32 g

Explanation:

Applying,

R = (R')2ᵃ/ⁿ Equation 1

Where R = Amount of mercury-197 needed to be ordered, R' = amount of mercury-197 needed for the study, a = time allowed for shipment, n = half life.

From the question,

Given: R' = 1 g, a = 15 days, n = 3 days

Substitute these values into equation 1

R = 1(2¹⁵/³)

R = 1(2⁵)

R = 32 g

this would be about 43%