Question
Find the radius of a 238Pu^{238}\textrm{Pu} nucleus. 238Pu^{238}\textrm{Pu} is a manufactured nuclide that is used as a power source on some space probes.
Question by OpenStax is licensed under CC BY 4.0
Final Answer
7.4 fm7.4\textrm{ fm}

Solution video

OpenStax College Physics for AP® Courses, Chapter 31, Problem 8 (Problems & Exercises)

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Video Transcript
This is College Physics Answers with Shaun Dychko. We are going to calculate the radius of a plutonium-238 nucleus. So the radius of a nucleus is r naught multiplied by the mass number to the power of one-third; r naught is 1.2 femtometers we multiply that by 238 to the power of one-third and that is 7.4 femtometers. So the radius of plutonium-238 nucleus is 7.4 femtometers.