Question

The total lifetime of the Sun is about 10 billion years, from when it was born to when it dies, and the half-life of 238U is 4.5 billion years. Suppose a particular meteoroid contained 24 micrograms of uranium-238 (238U) when the Sun was born. If the meteoroid is still in orbit when the Sun dies, it will contain _____

Answer 1

a little less than 6 micrograms

Step-by-step explanation:

The half-life of an element is defined as the time in which half of the isotope emits its radiation and becomes a different element. Therefore after 4.5 billion years the meteoroid will contain 12 micrograms of uranium, after 9 billion years will contain 6 micrograms. After 10 billion years will contain a little less than 6 micrograms.