Question

Parent Isotope	Daughter Isotope	Decay Particle (two protons and two neutrons or one electron)	Type of Decay (alpha or beta)
uranium–238	thorium-234	two protons and two neutrons	alpha decay
thorium-234	Protactinium-234	One electron	Alpha decay
Protactinium-234	Uranium-234	One electron	Beta decay
Uranium-234	Thorium-230	Two protons and two neutrons	Alpha decay
Thorium-230	Radium-226	Two protons and two neutrons	Alpha decay
Radium-226	Radon-222	Two protons and two neutrons	Alpha decay
Radon-222	Polonium-218	Two protons and two neutrons	Alpha decay
Polonium-218	Lead-214	Two protons and two neutrons	Alpha decay
Lead-214	Bismuth-214	One electron	Beta decay
Bismuth-214	Polonium-214	One electron	Beta decay
Polonium-214	Lead-210	Two protons and two neutrons	Alpha decay
Lead-210	Bismuth-210	One electron	Beta decay
Bismuth-210	Polonium-210	One electron	Beta decay
Polonium-210	lead-206	Two protons and two neutrons	Alpha decay

Conclusion Questions

Analyze your results above in order to answer the following questions. Be sure to respond in complete sentences.

1. What is the half-life of uranium-238?

2. What is the half-life of lead-206?

3. What is the main difference between alpha decay and beta decay?

4. Is there an application for either type of decay that is beneficial to humans?

5. During radioactive decay, which additional type of radiation is often emitted along with alpha or beta particles?

6. Why does the table not include the type of radiation discussed in question five?

7. Including your answer for question five, list the three main types of decay particles in order from least penetrating to

most penetrating. Include the type of material that stops each type of radiation.

Answer 1

1. Half life of Uranium U-238 is 4.468 billion years.

2. Pb-206 is a stable radionuclide isotope. Pb-206 doesn't decay others product due to it stable nucleus.

Pb-206 derived from chain decay of U-238. So Pb206 is last products of Uranium chain decay.

3. Alfa decay -helium atom is 2 atomic number and 4 mass number . in alfa decay product element or isotope is decreased 4 mass number and decrease 2 atomic number.

In beta decay product elements or isotope is increase 1 atomic number and unchanged mass number.

In beta decay atomic number increase and ni change of mass number of products nuclide.

In alfa decay products atomic nuclide decrease 4 mass number and 2 atomic number.

4. When this decay happens some energy is released from parent nuclide and this energy is called nuclear energy.

This nucler energy is used in various nuclear sector.

This energy is used for nuclear bomb and other nuclear programme.

But the decay of these particle is Major cause of human health problems. These powerful energy damage use cellular structure in body as results cause cancer.

5. Gamma Ray is emmited during Alfa and beta decay occurs.

Gamma Ray is very powerful nuclear energy that is formed during decay of alfa and beta ray decay.

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