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Chapter 19: Problem 72

Strontium-90 and radon-222 both pose serious health risks. \({ }^{90} \mathrm{Sr}\) decays by \(\beta\) -particle production and has a relatively long half-life (28.9 years). Radon-222 decays by \(\alpha\) -particle production and has a relatively short half-life (3.82 days). Explain why each decay process poses health risks.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Strontium-90 decays by \(\beta\)-particle production and has a long half-life of 28.9 years, leading to prolonged environmental contamination. It can accumulate in bones and teeth due to its similarity to calcium, causing cell damage and increasing the risk of cancer. Radon-222, on the other hand, decays by \(\alpha\)-particle production and has a short half-life of 3.82 days. As a noble gas, Radon-222 can be inhaled and accumulate in the lungs, where its fast decay and high-energy alpha particles can damage lung tissue, increasing the risk of lung cancer.

Step by step solution

01

Strontium-90 decay process

Strontium-90 (\({ }^{90}\mathrm{Sr}\)) is a radioactive isotope that decays by \(\beta\)-particle production. In this decay process, a neutron within its nucleus is transformed into a proton, causing the emission of an energetic electron called a beta particle.
02

Strontium-90 half-life

The half-life of Strontium-90 is relatively long, at 28.9 years. This means it takes 28.9 years for half of the Strontium-90 present to decay, which contributes to its increased ability to cause long-term contamination and damage.
03

Strontium-90 health risks

Given its long half-life, Strontium-90 can remain in the environment for an extended period, potentially contaminating water, soil, and food sources. Moreover, Strontium-90 has properties similar to calcium and can be taken up by the body and incorporated into bones and teeth, as it deposits there. This exposure to beta radiation can damage cells, potentially causing cancer or other disorders.
04

Radon-222 decay process

Radon-222 (\({ }^{222}\mathrm{Rn}\)) is another radioactive isotope that poses significant health risks. It decays by \(\alpha\)-particle production, which is a process involving the emission of two protons and two neutrons (as an alpha particle) from its nucleus.
05

Radon-222 half-life

The half-life of Radon-222 is relatively short, at only 3.82 days. This means that it takes 3.82 days for half of the Radon-222 present to decay, and it decays relatively quickly compared to other radioactive elements.
06

Radon-222 health risks

Radon-222 is a noble gas and chemically inert, so it can be inhaled and accumulate in the lungs. The fast decay and high energy of the emitted alpha particles can cause significant damage to lung tissue. Regular exposure to high levels of Radon-222 over an extended period can lead to lung cancer. Since it is a gas, it can easily infiltrate buildings through cracks, water, or soil, leading to a risk of indoor radon exposure.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Iodine-131 is used in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease and has a half-life of \(8.0\) days. If a patient with thyroid disease consumes a sample of \(\mathrm{Na}^{131} \mathrm{I}\) containing \(10 . \mu \mathrm{g}{ }^{131} \mathrm{I}\), how long will it take for the amount of \({ }^{131} \mathrm{I}\) to decrease to \(1 / 100\) of the original amount?

A positron and an electron can annihilate each other on colliding, producing energy as photons: $$ { }_{-1}^{0} \mathrm{e}+{ }_{+1}^{0} \mathrm{e} \longrightarrow 2{ }^{0}{ }_{0}^{0} \gamma $$ Assuming that both \(\gamma\) rays have the same energy, calculate the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation produced.

One type of commercial smoke detector contains a minute amount of radioactive americium- \(241\left({ }^{241} \mathrm{Am}\right)\), which decays by \(\alpha\) -particle production. The \(\alpha\) particles ionize molecules in the air, allowing it to conduct an electric current. When smoke particles enter, the conductivity of the air is changed and the alarm buzzes. a. Write the equation for the decay of \({ }^{241} \mathrm{Am}\) by \(\alpha\) -particle production. b. The complete decay of \({ }^{241}\) Am involves successively \(\alpha, \alpha\), \(\beta, \alpha, \alpha, \beta, \alpha, \alpha, \alpha, \beta, \alpha\), and \(\beta\) production. What is the final stable nucleus produced in this decay series? c. Identify the 11 intermediate nuclides.

The radioactive isotope \({ }^{247} \mathrm{Bk}\) decays by a series of \(\alpha\) -particle and \(\beta\) -particle productions, taking \({ }^{247} \mathrm{Bk}\) through many transformations to end up as \({ }^{207} \mathrm{~Pb}\). In the complete decay series, how many \(\alpha\) particles and \(\beta\) particles are produced?

The sun radiates \(3.9 \times 10^{23} \mathrm{~J}\) of energy into space every \(\mathrm{sec}-\) ond. What is the rate at which mass is lost from the sun?
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