Chapter 18: Problem 10
A recent study concluded that any amount of radiation exposure can cause biological damage. Explain the differences between the two models of radiation damage, the linear model and the threshold model.
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Chapter 18: Problem 10
A recent study concluded that any amount of radiation exposure can cause biological damage. Explain the differences between the two models of radiation damage, the linear model and the threshold model.
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Much of the research on controlled fusion focuses on the problem of how to contain the reacting material. Magnetic fields appear to be the most promising mode of containment. Why is containment such a problem? Why must one resort to magnetic fields for containment?
The most significant source of natural radiation is radon-222. \(^{222} \mathrm{Rn},\) a decay product of \(^{238} \mathrm{U},\) is continuously generated in the earth's crust, allowing gaseous Rn to seep into the basements of buildings. Because \(^{222} \mathrm{Rn}\) is an \(\alpha\) -particle producer with a relatively short half-life of 3.82 days, it can cause biological damage when inhaled. a. How many \(\alpha\) particles and \(\beta\) particles are produced when \(^{238} \mathrm{U}\) decays to \(^{222} \mathrm{Rn} ?\) What nuclei are produced when \(^{222} \mathrm{Rn}\) decays? b. Radon is a noble gas so one would expect it to pass through the body quickly. Why is there a concern over inhaling \(^{222} \mathrm{Rn} ?\) c. Another problem associated with \(^{222} \mathrm{Rn}\) is that the decay of \(^{222} \mathrm{Rn}\) produces a more potent \(\alpha\) -particle producer \(\left(t_{1 / 2}=\right.\) 3.11 min) that is a solid. What is the identity of the solid? Give the balanced equation of this species decaying by \(\alpha\) particle production. Why is the solid a more potent \(\alpha\) -particle producer? d. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that \(^{222}\) Rn levels not exceed 4 pCi per liter of air (1 \(\mathrm{Ci}=1\) curie \(=3.7 \times 10^{10}\) decay events per second; \(1 \mathrm{pCi}=1 \times 10^{-12} \mathrm{Ci}\). Convert \(4.0 \mathrm{pCi}\) per liter of air into concentrations units of \(^{222} \mathrm{Rn}\) atoms per liter of air and moles of \(^{222}\) Rn per liter of air.
The easiest fusion reaction to initiate is $$\frac{2}{1} \mathrm{H}+\frac{3}{1} \mathrm{H} \longrightarrow_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He}+\frac{1}{0} \mathrm{n}$$ Calculate the energy released per \(\frac{4}{2} \mathrm{He}\) nucleus produced and per mole of \(^{4}_{2}\) He produced. The atomic masses are \(\frac{2}{1} \mathrm{H}\) \(2.01410 \mathrm{u} ; \frac{3}{1} \mathrm{H}, 3.01605 \mathrm{u} ;\) and \(\frac{4}{2} \mathrm{He}, 4.00260 \mathrm{u} .\) The masses of the electron and neutron are \(5.4858 \times 10^{-4} \mathrm{u}\) and \(1.00866 \mathrm{u}\) respectively.
Write balanced equations for each of the processes described below. a. Chromium- \(51,\) which targets the spleen and is used as a tracer in studies of red blood cells, decays by electron capture. b. Iodine-131, used to treat hyperactive thyroid glands, decays by producing a \(\beta\) particle. c. Phosphorus- \(32,\) which accumulates in the liver, decays by \(\beta\) -particle production.
Many elements have been synthesized by bombarding relatively heavy atoms with high-energy particles in particle accelerators. Complete the following nuclear equations, which have been used to synthesize elements. a. \(\quad+\frac{4}{2} H e \rightarrow 243 B k+\frac{1}{0} n\) b. \(^{238} \mathrm{U}+^{12}_{6} \mathrm{C} \rightarrow$$\quad$$+6_{0}^{1} n\) c. \(^{249} \mathrm{Cf}+$$\quad$$\rightarrow \frac{260}{105} D b+4 \frac{1}{6} n\) d. \(^{249} \mathrm{Cf}+^{10}_{5} \mathrm{B} \rightarrow \frac{257}{153} \mathrm{Lr}+\)__________
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