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How long would it take for plutonium to decay to one eighth of its original activity?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
For plutonium (or any other radionuclide) to decay to one eighth of its original activity, it will take 3 half-lives of the material. In one half-life, half is gone. Half will be left. In another half-life, half of the half that was left is gone, and one quarter will be left. In a third half-life, half the one quarter will be left, and that's one eighth of the original. In the case of plutonium, there are a number of isotopes of this highly radioactive stuff. The isotope 239Pu, which is commonly used in nuclear weapons, has a half-life of 2.41 x 104 years. That's 24,100 years. For 239Pu to decay to 1/8 th of its original amount, it will take 3 time the half-life, which is 7.23 x 104 years, or 72,300 years. And yes, that is a long time. A very long time....
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
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What is given off by radioactive elements such as radium and Plutonium?
From these isotopes decay products are obtained and also ionizing radiations.
What produces plutonium?
When chain reacting uranium, other elements are formed, some are heavier and others are lighter. As these elements decay due to radioactivity, some certain chemicals change into plut. But only a very small amount is made.
What is pluton made of?
A very small amount of plutonium is found in nature. The majority of it is produced artificially.The majority of plutonium is made in nuclear reactors:uranium-238 captures a neutron, becoming uranium-239uranium-239 undergoes beta decay, becoming neptunium-239 (halflife 23.5 minutes)neptunium-239 undergoes beta decay, becoming plutonium-239 (halflife 2.33 days)plutonium is then chemically separated from the remaining uranium, neptunium, etc.
What energy transfer drives volcanic activity on Earth's surface?
Radioactive decay
What is the energy source for the voyager 1?
Voyager 1 uses radioisotope thermolectric batteries, powered by the heat generated from the decay of a radioactive substance. In this case, plutonium oxide.
Is plutonium cold or warm?
Plutonium is warm; the cause is the heat released by radioactive decay.
What is the product of alpha decay?
plutonium-239
Is plutonium the result of of the alpha decay of uranium?
Plutonium is not related to uranium isotopes radioactive decay; plutonium is obtained by nuclear reactions from uranium isotopes only in nuclear reactors.
To what does plutonium-239 decay when it loses an alpha particle?
Yes, plutonium-239 emits alpha particles by decay.
After 7 minutes a 53 g sample of plutonium decays to 36 g how long will it take for the sample to decay to 13 of its original amount?
It will take 25.0898 minutes, approx.
How long does it take for 1kg of plutonium to decay to 1g?
The half life is different for each isotope of plutonium; name the isotope for a calculation.
What is the nuclear decay equation for plutonium 239?
The first step is an alpha decay to (guess what!) uranium 235. You can probably take it from there.
Can plutonium mix ti make another element?
- Plutonium can react with other elements to form chemical compounds- Plutonium can be transformed in other elements by nuclear reactions or radioactive decay
How is plutonium made through nature?
- Plutonium-238: from the beta double-decay of U-238 - Plutonium-239: from a nuclear reaction of U-238 with neutrons (neutrons from a spontaneous fission) - Plutonium-240: a radioactive decay product of Pu-244 - Plutonium-244: it is considered a primordial isotope for the Earth All these isotopes (of natural origin) exist in uranium ores in infinitesimal but today detectable concentrations.
What is the other product of this decomposition when Plutonium-238 decomposes by emitting a particle?
Plutonium 238 is an alpha emitter; the decay product is uranium 234.
Which equation represents the alpha decay of plutonium 244?
The isotope plutonium 224 don't exist.
What is the element at the head of an artificial radioactive decay series?
Enriched Uranium and following it is Plutonium
