A radioactive substance decays to half its mass every 5 years. If the initial mass is 80 grams, what will be the mass after 15 years?

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:22:04 +0000

**A radioactive substance decays to half its mass every 5 years. If the initial mass is 80 grams, what will be the mass after 15 years?** Under pressure from growing interest in quick, reliable scientific facts—especially around aging, resilience, and long-term impacts—people are turning to simple decay processes to understand change over time. One topic gaining quiet but consistent attention is radioactive decay: a fundamental natural phenomenon where certain materials lose half their mass every fixed period. A common question asked by curious learners is: *What will be the mass of 80 grams of such a substance after 15 years, if it decays to half its mass every 5 years?* This substance’s half-life—5 years—represents the time it takes for half of the original material to transform. Given this rhythm of decay, a clear calculation reveals what remains after 15 years—three half-lives. But understanding the science behind it, beyond numbers, helps illuminate broader trends in health, environment, and innovation. ---