Uranium isotopes percentage 4.5 billion years ago

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the percentages of U-235 and U-238 at the time of Earth's formation, the decay equations for both isotopes are applied. Given the half-lives of U-235 and U-238, the decay constants are calculated as λ(U-235) = 9.84x10^-10 per year and λ(U-238) = 1.55x10^-10 per year. The current percentages of U-235 (0.7%) and U-238 (99.3%) are used to establish a relationship between their initial amounts and current amounts. By applying the decay equations, the initial ratio of U-235 to U-238 can be determined. The discussion focuses on deriving the initial isotopic percentages based on the current observed values and decay rates.
HaiderAbbas
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Homework Statement



Please help me solve this problem...
Given T(1/2) of U-235 = 7.04x10^8 yrs (0.7%)
T(1/2) 0f U-238 = 4.468x10^9 yrs (99.3%)
Calculate percentage of U-235 & U-238 at the time of creation of earth(~4.5 billion years ago)


Homework Equations



N(t) = No e^(-λt)

The Attempt at a Solution


λ(U-235) = 9.84x10^-10 per year

λ(U-238) = 1.55x10^-10

Now m confused how to proceed further with percentages...?
 
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Today 0.7% of the whole amount of the Uranium mineral is a rock is U235, and 99.3 % is U238. If you call N1(t) the amount of U235 and N2(t) the amount of U238 at time t, then

N1(t)=N1(0) e^(-λ1t)

and

N2(t)=N2(0) e^(-λ2t),

where N1(0) and N2(0) are the amounts of U235 and U238 at the time when the Earth was created. (We assume that mineral have been intact since then.)
You know that

N1(t)/(N1(t)+N2(t)) =0.007

and

N2(t)/(N1(t)+N2(t))=0.993.

Determine the ratio N1(0)/(N1(0)+N2(0)).

ehild
 
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