The decay rate of radio active material at any time $t$ is proportional to its mass at that time. The mass…

The decay rate of radio active material at any time $t$ is proportional to its mass at that time. The mass is 27 grams when $t=0$. After three hours it was found that 8 grams are left. Then the substance left after one more hour is
  1. $\frac{27}{8}$ grams
  2. $\frac{81}{4}$ grams
  3. $\frac{16}{3}$ grams
  4. $\frac{16}{9}$ grams

Solution

Let ' $x$ ' be the mass of the material at time ' $t$ '. $\therefore \quad \frac{\mathrm{d} x}{\mathrm{dt}}=-\mathrm{k} x,(-\mathrm{ve}$ sign indicates decay. $)$ $\therefore \quad \int \frac{\mathrm{d} x}{x}=-\mathrm{k} \int \mathrm{dt}$ $\therefore \quad \log |x|=-\mathrm{kt}+\mathrm{c}$ When $\mathrm{t}=0, x=27$ $\therefore \quad \mathrm{c}=\log 27$ $\therefore \quad \log |x|=-\mathrm{kt}+\log 27$ When $\mathrm{t}=3, x=8$ $\therefore \quad \mathrm{k}=\log \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)$ When $\mathrm{t}=4$, we get $\begin{array}{ll} & \log |x|=-4 \log \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)+\log 27 \\ \therefore \quad & \log |x|=\log \left(\frac{16}{3}\right) \\ \therefore \quad & x=\frac{16}{3} \text { grams } \end{array}$

Asked in: MHT CET 2023 (12 May Shift 1)

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