A certain nuclear power plant produces nuclear waste in the form of strontium-90 at the constant rate of 200 pounds per year.The waste decays exponentially with a half-life of 28 years.How much of the radioactive waste from the nuclear plant will be present after 130 years? [Hint: Think of this as a survival and renewal problem.] Round to two decimal places.
A)4,033.07 pounds
B)7,755.70 pounds
C)8,402.48 pounds
D)3,877.85 pounds

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The problem can be approached by considering the production of waste as a continuous process and its decay as an exponential function. Given the half-life of 28 years, the decay rate can be calculated. The amount of waste present after 130 years can be found by integrating the production rate minus the decay over the period. The correct calculation leads to the answer of 7,755.70 pounds.

A Certain Nuclear Power Plant Produces Nuclear Waste in the Form