Question: Uranium-238 and uranium-235 both decay by - particle emission. Their measured half-lives are 4.5 10 9 years and 7.0 10 8 years respectively.

Uranium-238 and uranium-235 both decay by α- particle emission. Their measured half-lives are 4.5 × 10⁹ years and 7.0 × 10⁸ years respectively. At the present time the ratio of ²³⁵U to ²³⁸U in naturally occurring uranium is about 0.72%. It is believed that the uranium on Earth was formed in a supernova that took place billions of years ago. It is also believed that the ratio of ²³⁵U/ ²³⁸U produced in supernovae is roughly 1.65. Estimate how long ago the supernova that produced the uranium on Earth took place.

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The lifetime of 238 U is 238 649 10 9 y while the lifetime of 235 U is 235 10110 9 ... View full answer

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