Nuclear Chemistry - Solving U-238 Activity & Decay Energy

In summary, the conversation discusses the activity and energy associated with the decay of 1.00 mg of 238U to form thorium-234. The attempt at a solution involves using A0, the nuclear mass of thorium-235, and the equation E=0.0449(9*1010). However, the answers given do not include units and do not provide enough context for understanding.
  • #1
disneychannel
52
0

Homework Statement


Consider 238U which undergoes natural radioactive decay to form thorium-234
a)What is the activity, in curies, of 1.00 mg of U-238?
B)What is the energy in kilojoules associated wuth the decay of 1.00 mg of 238U? The nuvlear mass of throium-235 is 234.0437

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


A0
0.693/(1.62*105)
=4.27*10-6 j/k
1*10-3*(1/238 g)*(6.022*1023/1 mol)
=2.53*108
my teacher marked this wrong, i don't know why!

B)E=0.0449(9*1010)
m=(234.0437+4.00150)-238=239.93558
 
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  • #2
You expect us to guess what you did and what are these numbers?

What if I will tell you that 1.521211? Does it make any sense without context?

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methods
 
  • #3
=Borek;2727085]You expect us to guess what you did and what are these numbers?

What if I will tell you that 1.521211? Does it make any sense without context?

Agreed; your answers don't even have units.
 

1) What is nuclear chemistry?

Nuclear chemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the study of the chemical and physical properties of elements and compounds involved in nuclear reactions, including radioactive decay, nuclear fusion, and nuclear fission.

2) What is U-238 activity?

U-238 activity refers to the measure of the rate at which the unstable nucleus of uranium-238 decays and emits radiation. This activity is measured in becquerels (Bq) or curies (Ci).

3) How is U-238 activity calculated?

The U-238 activity can be calculated using the formula: A = λN, where A is the activity in Bq, λ is the decay constant of U-238, and N is the number of U-238 nuclei present. The decay constant can be determined from the half-life of U-238, which is approximately 4.5 billion years.

4) What is decay energy?

Decay energy is the energy released during the process of radioactive decay. It is equal to the difference in the mass of the parent nucleus and the combined mass of the daughter nucleus and any emitted particles or radiation, as described by Einstein's famous equation E=mc².

5) How is decay energy related to U-238 activity?

The decay energy of U-238 is directly proportional to its activity. As the U-238 nuclei decay and emit radiation, the decay energy is released. The higher the activity of U-238, the more energy is being released per unit time.

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