If the oxygen isotope 20O has a half-life of 15 seconds, what fraction of a sample of pure 20O remains after 1.0 minute?

1/16 fraction of a sample of pure ²⁰O remains after 1.0 minute

Given:

The half life of ²⁰O = 15 seconds

This half life means that the reactant 8s going to be half at this time

Now, we have 60 seconds = 1 minute

Then in 60 seconds we are going to have 4 half life.

Then ²⁰O will be 1/2⁴

1/2⁴ = 1/16

Thus, the fraction of a sample of pure ²⁰O remains after 1.0 minute is 1/16.

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1/16

Explanation:

We have the half life of ²⁰O = 15 seconds

This half life means that the reactant 8s going to be half at this time

Now we have 60 seconds = 1 minute

Then in 60 seconds we are going to have 4 half life.

Then ²⁰O will be 1/2⁴

1/2⁴ = 1/16

This is the answer to this question.

Thank you!