What process causes thorium-230 to decay to radium-226?
A. The nuclide thorium-230 undergoes alpha emission to give radium-226 .
How does thorium turn into radium?
As thorium- 232 decays, it releases radiation and forms decay products that include radium-228 and thorium-228. The decay process continues until a stable, nonradioactive decay product is formed.
What type of radiation is emitted by thorium-230?
Alpha particles
Alpha particles always have this same composition: two protons and two neutrons. Another alpha particle producer is thorium-230. Alpha decays occur with radioactive isotopes of radium, radon, uranium, and thorium.
How is radium-226 produced?
It is produced during the radioactive decay of radium-226, itself a decay product of uranium-238 found in many types of crustal materials, i.e., rocks and soils.
What is the result for alpha decay of thorium-230?
radium-226
Thorium-230 then decays via alpha decay to radium-226.
How is radon-222 produced?
Radon-222 is formed naturally during a chain of radioactive decay. The decay series begins with uranium-238, and among the substances formed is radium-226, which decays directly to radon-222. The uranium is widely distributed in rocks and soils throughout the earth’s crust.
What forms when Radium-226 decays?
Radium-226 Decay Chain: Radium-226 (1600 year half life) yields an alpha particle and Radon-222; Radon-222 (3.82 day half life) yields an alpha particle and Polonium-218; Polonium-218 (3.05 minute half life) yields an alpha particle and Lead-214; Lead-214 (26.8 minute half life) yields a beta particle and Bismuth-214; …
What is thorium-230 used for?
The isotope thorium-230, a decay product of uranium-238, is found in uranium deposits as well as in uranium mill tailings. addition, thorium is used in welding rods and electric bulb filaments to improve product performance. Thorium can also be used as a fuel in nuclear reactors.
How do you know from the diagram that thorium-230 is radioactive?
How do you know from the diagram that thorium-230 is radioactive? Thorium-230 must be radioactive because it decays into radium-226. Use the diagram on your study guide to answer this question.
What forms when radium-226 decays?
What element is created by the alpha decay of radium-226?
radon-222
Radium-226 decays by alpha particle radiation to an inert gas, radon-222, which also decays by alpha particle radiation. Due to the short half-life of radon -222, 3.8 days, there is a high probability it will decay in the body when breathed in, emitting alpha particle radiation in the body.
What is thorium?
EPA Facts about Thorium What is thorium? Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal that is found at low levels in soil, rocks, water, plants, and animals. Almost all naturally occurring thorium exists in the form of either radioactive isotope thorium-232, thorium-230, and thorium-228.
How does the decay of thorium affect the human body?
The radiation from the decay of thorium and its decay products is in the form of alpha and beta particles and gamma radiation. Alpha particles can travel only short distances and cannot penetrate human skin. Beta particles are generally absorbed in the skin and do not pass through the entire body. Gamma radiation, however, can penetrate the body.
How do you test for thorium in the body?
Special tests that measure the level of radioactivity from thorium or thorium isotopes in the urine, feces, and exhaled air can determine if a person has been exposed to thorium. These tests are useful only if administered within a short period of time after exposure.
What is the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for thorium?
EPA has established a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 15 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) for alpha particle activity, excluding radon and For more information about how EPA addresses thorium at Superfund sites Contact Stuart Walker of EPA: (703) 603-8748 or [email protected], or visit EPA’s Superfund Radiation Webpage: