Over geological time, an atom of 238U decays to a stable 206Pb atom in a series of eight alpha emissions, each ofwhich leads to the formation of one helium atom. A geochemist analyzes a rock and finds that it contains 9.0 ×1025cm3of helium (at 0°C and atmospheric pressure) pergram and 2.0 × 1027g of 238U per gram. Estimate the ageof the mineral, assuming that all of the He is retained, andgiven that t1/2 of 238U is 4.47 × 109years.

Chemistry
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Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
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Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
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Over geological time, an atom of 238U decays to a stable 206Pb atom in a series of eight alpha emissions, each of
which leads to the formation of one helium atom. A geochemist analyzes a rock and finds that it contains 9.0 ×
1025
cm3
of helium (at 0°C and atmospheric pressure) per
gram and 2.0 × 1027
g of 238U per gram. Estimate the age
of the mineral, assuming that all of the He is retained, and
given that t1/2 of 238U is 4.47 × 109
years.

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