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A sample contains 4.0 mg of uranium-238. After 4.46×10^9 years the sample will contain 2.0 mg of uranium-238. What is the half life of uranium-238?

User Poger
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2 Answers

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Final answer:

The half-life of uranium-238 is approximately 4.46 x 10^9 years.

Step-by-step explanation:

The half-life of uranium-238 can be determined using the formula:

Half-life = (time elapsed x ln(2)) / ln(Ratio of initial amount to final amount)

Using the given information, the time elapsed is 4.46 x 10^9 years, the initial amount is 4.0 mg, and the final amount is 2.0 mg. Plugging these values into the formula, we can solve for the half-life:

Half-life = (4.46 x 10^9 years x ln(2)) / ln(4.0 mg / 2.0 mg)

Calculating this expression gives us a half-life of approximately 4.46 x 10^9 years.

User Bitterblue
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3 votes

The half life of uranium- 238 is

4.46 x10^9 years


Explanation

Half life is the time taken for the radioactivity of a isotope to fall to half its original value.

The original mass of uranium-238 is 4.0 mg

Half of original mass of uranium = 4.0 mg /2 = 2.0 mg

since it take 4.46 x 10^ 9 years for the sample to half the half life of uranium -238 = 4.46 x10^9 years

User Aadil Rashid
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