Age of Sample: U-235 & U-238 Abundances

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the age of a sample based on the isotopic abundances of U-235 and U-238, which are given as 0.72% and 99.27%, respectively. The user attempts to apply the decay equations for both isotopes, using the relationship between their abundances at present and at the time of formation. It is confirmed that the initial abundance ratio can be assumed to be 1, allowing for the calculation of the age by setting the ratio of current abundances equal to the exponential decay formula. The final advice is to solve for time (t) using the provided abundances. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying the decay equations to determine the sample's age.
Purple Baron
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Homework Statement


The isostopc abundances of a sample is U-235 and U-238 are 0.72 and 99.27 respectively; what is the age of the sample? (assume isotope abundance was equal when sample was formed)

Homework Equations


\lambda=\frac{ln2}{ t_{\frac{1}{2}}}

The Attempt at a Solution


for U-238 N_{238}(T)=N_{238}(t)e^{\lambda _{238}t}
U-235 N_{235}(T)=N_{235}(t)e^{\lambda _{235}t}
T is time at present and t is time of sample formation.

diving the two equations gives
\frac{N_{238}(T)}{N_{235}(T)}=\frac{N_{238}(t)}{N_{235}(t)}e^{(\lambda _{238}- \lambda _{235})t}

From the assumption, one can say \frac{N_{238}(t)}{N_{235}(t)}=1
It's here where I'm not sure; do i just say that \frac{N_{238}(T)}{N_{235}(T)}=\frac{99.27}{0.72} and solve for t or am I missing something? Thanks

EDIT: Sorry, I can't get my latex to work, I can't seem to fix it
 
Last edited:
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I fixed the two broken equations, but the first one looks odd.
Yes, just do that and solve for t.
 
Thanks for that, I fixed the first equation.
 
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