Plutonium239 is the fissionable isotope produced in breeder reactors; it is also produced in ordinary nuclear plants and in weapons tests. It is an extremely poisonous substance with a halflife of 24,100 years. (a)Write an equation for the decay of 239Pu via alpha emission. (b) The atomic mass of 239Pu is 239.05216 u and that of 235U is 235.04393 u. Calculate the energy released per 239Pu atom, in MeV, in decaying via alpha emission. (c) What will be the initial activity, in disintegrations per second, of 1.00 g of 239Pu buried in a disposal site for radioactive wastes? (d) What activity will the material from part (c) show after 100,000 years?
Plutonium239 is the fissionable isotope produced in breeder reactors; it is also produced in ordinary nuclear plants and in weapons tests. It is an extremely poisonous substance with a halflife of 24,100 years. (a)Write an equation for the decay of 239Pu via alpha emission. (b) The atomic mass of 239Pu is 239.05216 u and that of 235U is 235.04393 u. Calculate the energy released per 239Pu atom, in MeV, in decaying via alpha emission. (c) What will be the initial activity, in disintegrations per second, of 1.00 g of 239Pu buried in a disposal site for radioactive wastes? (d) What activity will the material from part (c) show after 100,000 years?
Chapter10: Radioactivity And Nuclear Processes
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 10.51E
Related questions
Question
-
Plutonium239 is the fissionable isotope produced in breeder reactors; it is also produced in ordinary nuclear plants and in weapons tests. It is an extremely poisonous substance with a halflife of 24,100 years.
(a)Write an equation for the decay of 239Pu via alpha emission.
(b) The
atomic mass of 239Pu is 239.05216 u and that of 235U is 235.04393 u. Calculate the energy released per 239Pu atom, in MeV, in decaying via alpha emission.(c) What will be the initial activity, in disintegrations per second, of 1.00 g of 239Pu buried in a disposal site for radioactive wastes?
(d) What activity will the material from part (c) show after 100,000 years?
Expert Solution
This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
This is a popular solution!
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 5 steps with 4 images
Knowledge Booster
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
Chemistry: The Molecular Science
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781285199047
Author:
John W. Moore, Conrad L. Stanitski
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry by OpenStax (2015-05-04)
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781938168390
Author:
Klaus Theopold, Richard H Langley, Paul Flowers, William R. Robinson, Mark Blaser
Publisher:
OpenStax
Chemistry: The Molecular Science
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781285199047
Author:
John W. Moore, Conrad L. Stanitski
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry by OpenStax (2015-05-04)
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781938168390
Author:
Klaus Theopold, Richard H Langley, Paul Flowers, William R. Robinson, Mark Blaser
Publisher:
OpenStax
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Modern Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079113
Author:
David W. Oxtoby, H. Pat Gillis, Laurie J. Butler
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
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