4. Which of the following is the most stable isotope? Polonium-210
Uranium-237
Francium-227
Plutonium-238
Half-life
(hr)
3,310
162
0.04
768,000
A. Polonium-210
B. Uranium-237
C. Francium-227
D. Plutonium-238

D. Plutonium-238 is the most stable isotope

Explanation:

Radioactivity is the process of unstable isotopes to stable isotopes by decay, by emitting certain particles (such as alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ) particles)

General formulas used in decay:

T = duration of decay

t 1/2 = half-life

N₀ = the number of initial radioactive atoms

Nt = the number of radioactive atoms left after decaying during T time

Half-life shows the time it takes for an atom to get half of its initial mass (to decay to half of its initial mass)

The longer the half-life indicates the stability of the atom

Half-life (hr) of isotopes :

Polonium-210  : 3,310

Uranium-237  : 162

Francium-227  : 0.04

Plutonium-238 : 768,000

The half-life value above shows that Plutonium-238 has the longest time, making it the most stable