In 1978, the U.S. Department of Energy began a study of Yucca Mountain which is located...

 

Transcribed Image Text:

In 1978, the U.S. Department of Energy began a study of Yucca Mountain which is located 90 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada. The study was to determine if Yucca Mountain would be suitable for a long-term burial site for high-level radioactive waste. A three-dimensional (3-D) computer scale model of the site was used to simulate the Yucca Mountain area. The computer model study for Yucca Mountain included such variables as: the possibility of earthquakes, predicted water flow through the mountain, increased rainfall due to climate changes, radioactive leakage from the waste containers, and increased temperatures from the buried waste within the containers. The containers that will be used to store the radioactive waste are designed to last 10,000 years. Within the 10,000- year time period, cesium and strontium, the most powerful radioactive emitters, would have decayed. Other isotopes found in the waste would decay more slowly, but are not powerful radioactive emitters. a. If a sample of cesium-137 is stored in a waste container in Yucca Mountain, how much time must elapse until only 1/32 of the original sample remains unchanged? b. The information states "Within the 10,000-year time period, cesium and strontium, the most powerful radioactive emitters, would have decayed." Use information from Reference Table N to support this statement In 1978, the U.S. Department of Energy began a study of Yucca Mountain which is located 90 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada. The study was to determine if Yucca Mountain would be suitable for a long-term burial site for high-level radioactive waste. A three-dimensional (3-D) computer scale model of the site was used to simulate the Yucca Mountain area. The computer model study for Yucca Mountain included such variables as: the possibility of earthquakes, predicted water flow through the mountain, increased rainfall due to climate changes, radioactive leakage from the waste containers, and increased temperatures from the buried waste within the containers. The containers that will be used to store the radioactive waste are designed to last 10,000 years. Within the 10,000- year time period, cesium and strontium, the most powerful radioactive emitters, would have decayed. Other isotopes found in the waste would decay more slowly, but are not powerful radioactive emitters. a. If a sample of cesium-137 is stored in a waste container in Yucca Mountain, how much time must elapse until only 1/32 of the original sample remains unchanged? b. The information states "Within the 10,000-year time period, cesium and strontium, the most powerful radioactive emitters, would have decayed." Use information from Reference Table N to support this statement

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Radioactive Decay at Yucca Mountain Part a Decay Time for Cesium137 Cesium137 decays with a halflife ... View the full answer