Chapter 16, Problem 13RQ

What is the half-life of uranium-238?

To determine

The half-life of uranium-238.

Answer to Problem 13RQ

The half life of the Uranium-238 is 4.5 billion years.

Explanation of Solution

The half-life of any element is the time that is needed for half of the radioactive atoms to decay completely. This method is used to calculate the decay rate of any element.

The half life of uranium-238 is 4.5 billion years which means it will decay by the end of 4.5 billion years. After the next 4.5 billion years, the remaining uranium-238 will decay, leaving only ${\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)}^{\text{th}}$ of the original number of atoms of the uranium.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the half life of the Uranium-238 is 4.5 billion years.