Half Life and Radioactive Decay
8.01- Half-life and radioactive decay
Shelby Wolf
Uranium
1) Where is this substance most likely found and how abundant is it?
It is found within the Earth’s crust, also found in rock, soil, rivers, and oceans. It is believed to be available for at least the next 85 years,
U-238: 99.27 U-235: .72 U-234: 0.0055
2) What type of decay does this substance undergo and how harmful can it be to those exposed?
The U-235 undergoes nuclear fission
The U-238 undergoes alpha decay
The U-234 undergoes alpha decay
If you are exposed to uranium the natural functions of kidney, brain, liver, heart, and other functions can be affected and some included birth defects
3) What can be done to protect against the radiation produced by this isotope?
4) What practical uses, if any, are there for this type of radiation? Is it used in the medical, industrial, scientific, or other fields?
Some uses include: nuclear fuel used to generate electricity in nuclear stations, a major material from which other synthetic elements are, used by the military to power nuclear submarines and in nuclear weapons.
For medical purposes, radioisotopes are used diagnosis and research. For food-industry purposes, radioisotopes are used to sterilize fresh products (radiation kill parasites, pests, and bacteria). For industrial purposes, radioisotopes are used for x-ray equipment. For space purposes, space probes that are required to operate in places far away from the sun, the only available solution for the production of heat and electricity is radioisotopes.
Use of Uranium in nuclear power plants
1) What careers or fields use this type of radiation, and why is it used?
One field that uses this type of radiation is nuclear technician, and it is used for electricity and energy produced by nuclear fission.
2) What are the benefits and risks associated with using this material, and
Shelby Wolf
Uranium
1) Where is this substance most likely found and how abundant is it?
It is found within the Earth’s crust, also found in rock, soil, rivers, and oceans. It is believed to be available for at least the next 85 years,
U-238: 99.27 U-235: .72 U-234: 0.0055
2) What type of decay does this substance undergo and how harmful can it be to those exposed?
The U-235 undergoes nuclear fission
The U-238 undergoes alpha decay
The U-234 undergoes alpha decay
If you are exposed to uranium the natural functions of kidney, brain, liver, heart, and other functions can be affected and some included birth defects
3) What can be done to protect against the radiation produced by this isotope?
4) What practical uses, if any, are there for this type of radiation? Is it used in the medical, industrial, scientific, or other fields?
Some uses include: nuclear fuel used to generate electricity in nuclear stations, a major material from which other synthetic elements are, used by the military to power nuclear submarines and in nuclear weapons.
For medical purposes, radioisotopes are used diagnosis and research. For food-industry purposes, radioisotopes are used to sterilize fresh products (radiation kill parasites, pests, and bacteria). For industrial purposes, radioisotopes are used for x-ray equipment. For space purposes, space probes that are required to operate in places far away from the sun, the only available solution for the production of heat and electricity is radioisotopes.
Use of Uranium in nuclear power plants
1) What careers or fields use this type of radiation, and why is it used?
One field that uses this type of radiation is nuclear technician, and it is used for electricity and energy produced by nuclear fission.
2) What are the benefits and risks associated with using this material, and