Isotopes such as 26Al (half-life: 7.2 × 105 years) are believed to have been present in our solar system as it formed, but have since decayed and are now called extinct nuclides.(a) 26Al decays by β+ emission or electron capture. Write the equations for these two nuclear transformations.(b) The earth was formed about 4.7 × 109 (4.7 billion) years ago. How old was the earth when 99.999999% of the 26Al originally present had decayed?

General Chemistry - Standalone book (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305580343
Author:Steven D. Gammon, Ebbing, Darrell Ebbing, Steven D., Darrell; Gammon, Darrell Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon, Darrell D.; Gammon, Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon; Darrell
Publisher:Steven D. Gammon, Ebbing, Darrell Ebbing, Steven D., Darrell; Gammon, Darrell Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon, Darrell D.; Gammon, Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon; Darrell
Chapter20: Nuclear Chemistry
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 20.114QP
icon
Related questions
Question

Isotopes such as 26Al (half-life: 7.2 × 105 years) are believed to have been present in our solar system as it formed, but have since decayed and are now called extinct nuclides.
(a) 26Al decays by β+ emission or electron capture. Write the equations for these two nuclear transformations.
(b) The earth was formed about 4.7 × 109 (4.7 billion) years ago. How old was the earth when 99.999999% of the 26Al originally present had decayed?

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps with 3 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Nuclear Reactions
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
General Chemistry - Standalone book (MindTap Cour…
General Chemistry - Standalone book (MindTap Cour…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305580343
Author:
Steven D. Gammon, Ebbing, Darrell Ebbing, Steven D., Darrell; Gammon, Darrell Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon, Darrell D.; Gammon, Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon; Darrell
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781133611097
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach
Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079243
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry: Principles and Practice
Chemistry: Principles and Practice
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780534420123
Author:
Daniel L. Reger, Scott R. Goode, David W. Ball, Edward Mercer
Publisher:
Cengage Learning