Question

Plutonium−239 (t1/2 = 2.41 × 104 yr) represents a serious nuclear waste hazard. if seven half-lives are required to reach a tolerable level of radioactivity, how long must 239 pu be stored? enter your answer in scientific notation.

Answer 1

The half-life of Plutonium−239, t1/2 is 2.41 × 10⁴ yrs

time taken to reach tolerable level = seven half-lives
                                                      = 7 x t1/2
                                                      = 7 x 2.41 × 10⁴ yrs
                                                      = 168700 yrs
                                                      = 1.687 x 10⁵ yrs

Hence, the period of time that Plutonium-239 must be stored is 1.687 x 10⁵ years.

Answer 2

Plutonium − 239 must be stored for = 1,687 .10 ^ 5 years to reach a tolerable level of radioactivity

Further explanation

The atomic nucleus can experience decay into 2 particles or more due to the instability of its atomic nucleus.

Usually radioactive elements have an unstable atomic nucleus.

The main particles emitted by radioactive elements so that they generally decay are alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) particles

General formula used in decay:

$\large {\boxed{\bold{ {Nt = No. (\frac {1} {2}) ^ {\frac {T} {t1 / 2}}}} }$

Information :

T = duration of decay

t 1/2 = elemental half-life

N₀ = the number of initial radioactive atoms

Nt = the number of radioactive atoms left after decaying during T time

Plutonium − 239 has a half-life of t1/2 = 2.41 × 10⁴ years

To reach a tolerable level of radioactivity, Plutonium − 239 must be stored for 7 times half-life, namely:

= 7 x 2.41 × 10⁴ years

= 1,687 .10⁵ years

Learn more

The identity of the missing nucleus

brainly.com/question/4207569

the process of radioactive decay

brainly.com/question/1770619

nuclear fusion and nuclear fission reactions

brainly.com/question/1949468

the product of radioactive decay

brainly.com/question/6029197

Keywords: decay, radioactive, Plutonium − 239, The atomic nucleus