Radioactive decay, half-life and uses

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Question 4
Medium

A deep-space exploration probe is powered by a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) containing plutonium-238.

At the launch of the mission, the RTG is loaded with 3.20 kg of plutonium-238.

The thermal power density of pure plutonium-238 is 0.55 W g-1.

Plutonium-238 has a half-life of 87.7 years87.7\text{ years}87.7 years.

Calculate the rate of heat energy released by the RTG (in watts) after a duration of 263.1 years263.1\text{ years}263.1 years.

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Radioactive decay, half-life and uses Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Radioactive decay, half-life and uses