The half-lives of 235U and 238U are 7.04 × 10° years and 4.47 × 10° years, respectively, and the present abundance ratio is 238U/235U = 137.7. It is thought that their abun- dance ratio was 1 at some time before our earth and solar system were formed about 4.5 × 10° years ago. Estimate how long ago the supernova occurred that supposedly produced all the uranium isotopes in equal abundance, including the two longest lived isotopes, 238U and 235U. Using the result of problem 29 and the accepted age of the earth, 4.5 x 10° yr, calculate the 238U/235U ratio at the time the earth was formed.

Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
8th Edition
ISBN:9781259696527
Author:J.M. Smith Termodinamica en ingenieria quimica, Hendrick C Van Ness, Michael Abbott, Mark Swihart
Publisher:J.M. Smith Termodinamica en ingenieria quimica, Hendrick C Van Ness, Michael Abbott, Mark Swihart
Chapter1: Introduction
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238
The half-lives of 235U and U are 7.04 × 10° years and
4.47 x 10° years, respectively, and the present abundance
ratio is 238U/235U = 137.7. It is thought that their abun-
dance ratio was 1 at some time before our earth and solar
system were formed about 4.5 × 10° years ago. Estimate
how long ago the supernova occurred that supposedly
produced all the uranium isotopes in equal abundance,
including the two longest lived isotopes, 238U and 235U.
Using the result of problem 29 and the accepted age of the
earth, 4.5 x 10° yr, calculate the 238U/235U ratio at the time
the earth was formed.
Transcribed Image Text:238 The half-lives of 235U and U are 7.04 × 10° years and 4.47 x 10° years, respectively, and the present abundance ratio is 238U/235U = 137.7. It is thought that their abun- dance ratio was 1 at some time before our earth and solar system were formed about 4.5 × 10° years ago. Estimate how long ago the supernova occurred that supposedly produced all the uranium isotopes in equal abundance, including the two longest lived isotopes, 238U and 235U. Using the result of problem 29 and the accepted age of the earth, 4.5 x 10° yr, calculate the 238U/235U ratio at the time the earth was formed.
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