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21 August, 19:46

The half-life for the radioactive decay of U-238 is 4.5 billion years and is independent of initial concentration. How long will it take for 10% of the U-238 atoms in a sample of U-238 to decay

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  1. 21 August, 23:14
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    7.0 * 10⁸ years

    Explanation:

    U-238 decays following first-order kinetics.

    If we know the half-life (t1/2), we can calculate the rate constant (k).

    k = ln2 / t1/2 = ln2 / 4.5 * 10⁹ y = 1.5 * 10⁻¹⁰ y⁻¹

    When 10% of the U-238 atoms decay, the remaining concentration is 90% of the initial one. We can find the time required (t) using the following expression.

    ln ([U] / [U]₀) = - k * t

    ln (0.9[U]₀ / [U]₀) = - k * t

    t = ln 0.9 / - k

    t = ln 0.9 / - 1.5 10⁻¹⁰ y⁻¹

    t = 7.0 * 10⁸ y
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