Radioactive decay is a process that follows a first-order rate law: Rate = kN, where N is the number of nuclei and the rate is the nuclear disintegration per unit time. The half-life for the decay of 239Pu is 24, 360 yr. The half-life for the decay of 241Pu is 13 years. a. Calculate the rate constants for the decay of 239Pu and 241Pu. b. Which species decay more rapidly? c. If one starts with 5.0 g of pure 241Pu, how many disintegrations per second occur initially? What mass of 241Pu is left after 10 and 100 years?

Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
8th Edition
ISBN:9781259696527
Author:J.M. Smith Termodinamica en ingenieria quimica, Hendrick C Van Ness, Michael Abbott, Mark Swihart
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Radioactive decay is a process that follows a first-order rate law: Rate = kN, where N is the 
number of nuclei and the rate is the nuclear disintegration per unit time. The half-life for the 
decay of 239Pu is 24, 360 yr. The half-life for the decay of 241Pu is 13 years.
a. Calculate the rate constants for the decay of 239Pu and 241Pu.
b. Which species decay more rapidly?

c. If one starts with 5.0 g of pure 241Pu, how many disintegrations per second occur initially? 
What mass of 241Pu is left after 10 and 100 years?

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