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Chapter 21: Q59E (page 1207)

Based on what is known about Radon-222’s primary decay method, why is inhalation so dangerous?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The risk of inhaling radon-222 is that it destroys DNA cells, which can lead to cancer.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of exponential decay

If a quantity diminishes at a pace proportional to its current value, it is said to be subject to exponential decay.

02

Step 2: Explanation

Radon-222 (radon gas) is an alpha emitter.

Its primary decay is as shown below:

\({_{86}^{222}}Rn{ \to _{84}}^{218}Po + \,{\,_2}^4He\)

The alpha rays can be easily stopped by paper or a very thin shielding because they have very low penetration power.

But alpha rays have higher ionization potential than beta and gamma rays. This means that if the radon gas is inhaled, it directly attacks the lungs and other tissues. It is also possible that if a large amount of radon gas is inhaled, DNA cells will be damaged, leading to cancer.

Therefore, inhaling radon-222 is risky because it damages DNA cells, leading to cancer.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A \({\rm{1}}{\rm{.00 \times 1}}{{\rm{0}}^{{\rm{ - 6}}}}{\rm{ - g}}\) sample of nobelium, \({}_{{\rm{102}}}^{{\rm{254}}}{\rm{No}}\), has a half-life of \({\rm{55}}\) seconds after it is formed. What is the percentage of \({}_{{\rm{102}}}^{{\rm{254}}}{\rm{No}}\) remaining at the following times?

(a) \({\rm{5}}{\rm{.0 min}}\)after it forms

(b) \({\rm{1}}{\rm{.0 h}}\)after it forms

Write a balanced equation for each of the following nuclear reactions:

(a) bismuth\({\rm{ - 212}}\)decays into polonium\({\rm{ - 212}}\)

(b) beryllium\({\rm{ - 8}}\)and a positron are produced by the decay of an unstable nucleus

(c) neptunium\({\rm{ - 239}}\)forms from the reaction of uranium\({\rm{ - 238}}\)with a neutron and then spontaneously converts into plutonium\({\rm{ - 239}}\)

(d) strontium\({\rm{ - 90}}\)decays into yttrium\({\rm{ - 90}}\).

Question:15. Write a balanced equation for each of the following nuclear reactions:

  1. The product of \(^{{\bf{17}}}{\bf{O}}\) from \(^{{\bf{14}}}{\bf{N}}\) by \({\bf{\alpha }}\) particle bombardment
  2. The production of \(^{{\bf{14}}}{\bf{C}}\) from \(^{{\bf{14}}}{\bf{N}}\) by neutron bombardment
  3. The production of \(^{{\bf{233}}}{\bf{Th}}\) from \(^{{\bf{232}}}{\bf{Th}}\) by neutron bombardment
  4. The production of \(^{{\bf{239}}}{\bf{U}}\) from \(^{{\bf{238}}}{\bf{U}}\) by \({_{\bf{1}}^{\bf{2}}}{\bf{H}}\) bombardment\(\)

Given specimens neon-24 and bismuth-211 (\(\left( {{t_{1/2}} = 3.38\;{\rm{min}}} \right)\)\(\left. {{t_{1/2}} = 2.14\;{\rm{min}}} \right)\)of equal mass, which one would have greater activity and why?

Question: Which of the following nuclei is most likely to decay by positron emission? Explain your choice.

(a) chromium\({\rm{ - 53}}\)

(b) manganese\({\rm{ - 51}}\)

(c) iron\({\rm{ - 59}}\)
See all solutions

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