Chapter 18: Problem 5
What are transuranium elements and how are they synthesized?
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Chapter 18: Problem 5
What are transuranium elements and how are they synthesized?
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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 only stable isotope of fluorine is fluorine-19. Predict possible modes of decay for fluorine-21, fluorine-18, and fluorine-17.
Photosynthesis in plants can be represented by the following overall equation: $$6 \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+6 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \stackrel{\text { Light }}{\longrightarrow} C_{6} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}_{6}(s)+6 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g)$$ Algae grown in water containing some \(^{18} \mathrm{O}\) (in \(\mathrm{H}_{2}^{18} \mathrm{O}\) ) evolve oxygen gas with the same isotopic composition as the oxygen in the water. When algae growing in water containing only \(^{16} \mathrm{O}\) were furnished carbon dioxide containing \(^{18} \mathrm{O},\) no \(^{18} \mathrm{O}\) was found to be evolved from the oxygen gas produced. What conclusions about photosynthesis can be drawn from these experiments?
Calculate the amount of energy released per gram of hydrogen nuclei reacted for the following reaction. The atomic masses are \(^{1}_{1}{H}, 1.00782 \mathrm{u} ; \frac{2}{1} \mathrm{H}, 2.01410 \mathrm{u} ;\) and an electron, \(5.4858 \times\) \(10^{-4}\) u. (Hint: Think carefully about how to account for the electron mass.)$$\mathrm{i} \mathrm{H}+\mathrm{i} \mathrm{H} \longrightarrow_{\mathrm{i}}^{2} \mathrm{H}+_{+\mathrm{i}}^{0}$$
Breeder reactors are used to convert the nonfissionable nuclide \(\frac{238}{92} \mathrm{U}\) to a fissionable product. Neutron capture of the \(\frac{238}{92} \mathrm{U}\) is followed by two successive beta decays. What is the final fissionable product?
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