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Spontaneous fission rate to half-life equivalence

 
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Apr26-11, 01:32 PM   #1
 

Spontaneous fission rate to half-life equivalence


1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

The spontaneous fission rate for U-238 is roughly 1 fission per gram per 100 seconds. Show that this rate is the equivalent to a half-life for spontaneous fission of ~5.5x1015 years

2. Relevant equations
none that I can find in my book


3. The attempt at a solution
I'm thinking this is just basically a conversion of units problem, but want to check that with someone else. Not entirely sure where I would start so any help would be appreciated.
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Apr26-11, 04:13 PM   #2
 
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1. How many U-238 atoms are there in 1 gram?
2. If one of them decays every 100 seconds, how long will you have to wait until half of them have decayed?
Apr30-11, 04:18 PM   #3
 
thank you- knew it had to be fairly simple- just overthinking it!
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