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Chapter 21: Q59E (page 1207)

Based on what is known about Radon-222鈥檚 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

Question: Write a nuclear reaction for each step in the formation of \({}_{84}^{{\rm{218}}}Po\) from \({}_{{\rm{98}}}^{{\rm{238}}}{\rm{U}}\), which proceeds by a series of decay reactions involving the step-wise emission of \({\rm{\alpha , \beta , \beta , \alpha , \alpha , \alpha }}\) particles, in that order.

If \({\rm{1}}{\rm{.000 g}}\) of \({}_{{\rm{88}}}^{{\rm{226}}}{\rm{Ra}}\) produces \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.0001 mL}}\) of the gas \({}_{{\rm{88}}}^{{\rm{222}}}{\rm{Rn}}\) at \({\rm{STP}}\) (standard temperature and pressure) in \({\rm{24 h}}\), what is the half-life of \({}^{{\rm{226}}}{\rm{Ra}}\) in years?

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\(\)

A scientist is studying a \(2.234\) g sample of thorium-229 \(\left( {{t_{1/2}} = 7340{\rm{y}}} \right)\) in a laboratory.

(a) What is its activity in Bq?

(b) What is its activity in Ci?

What are the two principal differences between nuclear reactions and ordinary chemical changes?
See all solutions

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