One of the nuclides in spent nuclear fuel is U234, an alpha emitter with a half-

Question

One of the nuclides in spent nuclear fuel is U234, an alpha emitter with a half-life of 4.44×105 years.

Part A

If a spent fuel assembly contains 2.80 kg of U234, how long will it take for the amount of U234 to decay to less than 0.18 kg ?

Express your answer using two significant figures.

SubmitMy AnswersGive Up

One of the nuclides in spent nuclear fuel is U234, an alpha emitter with a half-life of 4.44×105 years.

Part A

If a spent fuel assembly contains 2.80 kg of U234, how long will it take for the amount of U234 to decay to less than 0.18 kg ?

Express your answer using two significant figures.

SubmitMy AnswersGive Up

Explanation / Answer

half-life = 4.44×105 years.

rate constant = k = 0.693 / t1/2

                    = 0.693 / 4.44×105

                   = 1.56 x 10^-6 year-1

t = 1 / k * ln [Ao / At]

t = 1/1.56 x 10^-6 * ln (2.80 / 0.18)

t = 1.8 x 10^6 years

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse O
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.