Question

The radioisotope that has the longest half-life is the best to use in powering planet and space exploration vehicles because they can travel farther. Which radioisotope is the best to use?

Answer 1

Uranium-238 is the radioisotope which is best to use.

Step-by-step explanation:

Half-life : The time in which the concentration of a reactant is reduced to half of its original value is called half life period.

As it has been given that radioisotope that has the longest half-life is best to use as power source planet and space exploration vehicles:

Uranium 238 is with the highest value of half life which is equal to
`4.5* 10^9` years.

Answer 2

U-238

Step-by-step explanation:

For a given radioisotope, half life can be defined as the time taken for the isotope to decay into one-half of its original amount. Mathematically, this is expressed as:

`t_(1/2) = (0.693)/(k)`

where k = rate constant for the radioactive decay process

Greater the t1/2 longer will be its stability.

Based on the given data, U-238 has the largest half life and therefore will be best suited for applications mentioned.