Uranium is decaying at a constant 57% rate per day. If 3,820 pounds are produced from a power plant, what will the amount be in 15 days

Question

Help please. The entire question is One of the byproducts of nuclear power generation is Uranium-233. Uranium is decaying at a constant 57% rate per day. If 3,820 pounds are produced from a power plant, what will the amount be in 15 days

Answer 1

U(t) = U₀·(1 + rate)^t

• U(t) = amount of uranium left after t days
• U₀ = starting amount of uranium = 3820 pounds
• rate = decay rate expressed as a decimal = -0.57 (negative because it's decay)
• t = days = 15

 

U(t) = U₀·(1 + rate)^t

U(t) = 3820·(1 - 0.57)¹⁵

 

Use your calculator to get the answer.  The units are pounds.