Plutonium has a half life of 2.4 × 10⁴ years. How long does it take for 99% of the plutonium to decay? A) 1.6 × 10² y B) 1.6 × 10⁴ y C) 1.6 × 10³ y D) 1.6 × 10⁶ y E) 1.6 × 10⁵ y

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To find the time it takes for 99% of plutonium to decay, we use the formula for exponential decay: N(t) = N0 * (1/2)^(t/T), where N(t) is the remaining quantity, N0 is the initial quantity, t is time, and T is the half-life. For 99% decay, N(t)/N0 = 0.01. Solving 0.01 = (1/2)^(t/2.4×10^4) gives t ≈ 1.6 × 10^5 years.

Plutonium Has a Half Life of 2