Question

• 24Pu has a half-life of 14 years. If we start with 100 grams of 241Pu how much will remain

after 42 years and how much would have decayed?​

Answer 1

The amount of sample remain after 48 years is 12.5 g.

Amount of sample decayed = 100 g- 12.5 g = 87.5 g

Step-by-step explanation:

Given data:

Half life of Pu²⁴¹ = 14 years

Total amount of sample = 100 g

Sample remain after 42 years = ?

Sample decayed = ?

Solution:

First of all we will calculate the number of half lives.

Number of Half lives = T elapsed / half life

Number of Half lives = 42 years / 14 years

Number of Half lives = 3

At time zero = 100 g

At first half life = 100 g /2 = 50 g

At second half life = 50 g/2 = 25 g

At third half life = 25 g/ 2 = 12.5 g

So the amount of sample remain after 48 years is 12.5 g.

Amount of sample decayed = 100 g- 12.5 g = 87.5 g