Uranium isotopes percentage 4.5 billion years ago

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the percentage of Uranium-235 (U-235) and Uranium-238 (U-238) isotopes present at the time of Earth's formation, approximately 4.5 billion years ago. Given the half-lives of U-235 (7.04x10^8 years) and U-238 (4.468x10^9 years), the decay constants are determined as λ(U-235) = 9.84x10^-10 per year and λ(U-238) = 1.55x10^-10 per year. The problem requires the use of the exponential decay formula N(t) = No e^(-λt) to find the initial ratios of U-235 and U-238 based on their current percentages of 0.7% and 99.3%, respectively.

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  • Understanding of radioactive decay and half-life concepts
  • Familiarity with exponential functions and their applications in decay equations
  • Knowledge of isotopes and their significance in geochronology
  • Basic algebra skills for manipulating equations and ratios
NEXT STEPS
  • Study radioactive decay equations in detail, focusing on N(t) = No e^(-λt)
  • Learn about the significance of isotopic ratios in geological dating
  • Explore the implications of U-235 and U-238 ratios in nuclear physics
  • Investigate the methods used to measure isotopic compositions in geological samples
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Students in geology, nuclear physics, and environmental science, as well as educators teaching concepts related to radioactive decay and isotopic analysis.

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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