Plutonium−239 (t1/2 = 2.41 × 104 yr) represents a serious nuclear waste hazard. if seven half-lives are required to reach a tolerable level of radioactivity, how long must 239 pu be stored? enter your answer in scientific notation.

Plutonium − 239 must be stored for = 1,687 .10 ^ 5 years to reach a tolerable level of radioactivity

The atomic nucleus can experience decay into 2 particles or more due to the instability of its atomic nucleus.

Usually radioactive elements have an unstable atomic nucleus.

The main particles emitted by radioactive elements so that they generally decay are alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) particles

General formula used in decay:

Information :

T = duration of decay

t 1/2 = elemental half-life

N₀ = the number of initial radioactive atoms

Nt = the number of radioactive atoms left after decaying during T time

Plutonium − 239 has a half-life of t1/2 = 2.41 × 10⁴ years

To reach a tolerable level of radioactivity, Plutonium − 239 must be stored for 7 times half-life, namely:

= 7 x 2.41 × 10⁴ years

= 1,687 .10⁵ years

The identity of the missing nucleus

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the process of radioactive decay

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nuclear fusion and nuclear fission reactions

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the product of radioactive decay

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Keywords: decay, radioactive, Plutonium − 239, The atomic nucleus

radioactive decay occurs in unstable atomic nuclei – that is, ones that don't have enough binding energy to hold

the nucleus together due to an excess of either protons or neutrons.

the potential energy of the reactants is 200j.

from the energy diagram, the energy of the product formed is 350j; this means that, this reaction is an endothermic reaction, because it absorbs energy from its environment.