You are asked to write observations about a 100g sample of Nitrogen-16 before it decays , but you running late. In order to make observations, you require at least 5g of material Can make observations you are 57 seconds late to the lab?

The minimum amount of sample required has been 5 grams, while the remaining sample has been 0.39 grams. Thus, it has not been possible to make the observations.

The half life can be defined as the time required for the sample to reduce to half of its initial concentration. The half life can be given as:

Amount remained = Initial amount

The half life of nitrogen 16 has been 7.13 second.

The initial concentration of the sample has been 100 grams.

The concentration of sample remained after 57 seconds has been:

Amount remained = 100

Amount remained = 0.39 grams.

The amount of sample remained after 57 seconds has been 0.39 grams.

The amount of sample required for the analysis has been 5 grams, after 57 seconds only 0.39 grams of sample has been remaining. Thus, the student will not be able to made analysis of nitrogen-16.

For more information about the sample decay, refer to the link:

link

You can not make the observation in the lab

Explanation:

We must know the amount of Nitrogen-16 that remains after 57 seconds before we can make our conclusion.

Hence, from;

N/No = (1/2)^t/t1/2

Where;

N = amount of Nitrogen-16 present after 57 seconds

No = 100g of Nitrogen-16 originally present

t = 57 seconds

t1/2 = half life of Nitrogen-16 which is 7.13 seconds

Substituting values;

N/100 = (1/2)57/7.13

N/ 100 =(1/2)^8

N/100 = 1/256

256N = 100

N = 100/256

N = 0.39 g

You can not make the observation because you need at least 5g of Nitrogen-16 and only 0.39 g is left after 57 seconds.