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Topic: nuclear chemistry help?  (Read 3206 times)

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Offline laxplayer

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nuclear chemistry help?
« on: May 15, 2008, 10:31:37 PM »
The half-life for the process 238U  206Pb is 4.5 multiplied by 109 yr. A mineral sample contains 48.0 mg of 238U and 16.2 mg of 206Pb. What is the age of the mineral?


can anybody help me with this question?

Offline cliverlong

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Re: nuclear chemistry help?
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2008, 04:42:54 AM »
The half-life for the process 238U  206Pb is 4.5 multiplied by 109 yr.
I don't know what you mean by

half-life . is 4.5 multiplied by 109 yr

Why is it stated that way? Can you check the question?
Quote
A mineral sample contains 48.0 mg of 238U and 16.2 mg of 206Pb. What is the age of the mineral?

can anybody help me with this question?
Things to check / find out

1. What is half-life and (hint) what is the form of the exponential decay formula that includes this half-life?
1. How does 238U decay to 206Pb? What are the mass changes as a result of this decay?
2. (Hint) assume started with pure 238U in your sample then apply answers from 1. and 2.

Clive

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