Question

Plutonium-241 is an isotope of plutonium that is highly radioactive and is used in some nuclear reactors and many nuclear

weapons. It has a half-life of 14.4 years. If 1000g of Pu-241 is placed in storage at a weapons plant, how much will still be
remaining after 28.8 years?

Answer 1

after 28.8 years 250 g of Pu-241 still remaining

Step-by-step explanation:

Given data:

Total amount of Pu-241 = 1000 g

Half life = 14.4 years

Amount remaining after 28.8 years = ?

Solution:

Number of half lives = T elapsed / half life

Number of half lives = 28.8 years / 14.4 years

Number of half lives = 2

At time zero = 1000 g

At first half life = 1000 g/ 2 = 500 g

At second half life = 500 g/2 = 250 g

So after 28.8 years 250 g of Pu-241 still remaining.