When a radioactive isotope decays and the resulting isotope is also radioactive, it will decay, and this series will continue until a stable isotope is produced. U-238 undergoes a multistep decay series and one of the isotopes in this series is Rn-222. Rn-222 is radioactive. It has a half-life of 3.8 days. Radon (Rn) is a gas that has a boiling point of -62°C and it is more dense than air. a. If 40 pCi of Rn was in a sealed room, what would the activity be after 38 days? b. Use the information provided about Rn to explain the infographic, namely why Rn emanates from the ground, why concentrations can build up in basements, and why it is the main cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.
When a radioactive isotope decays and the resulting isotope is also radioactive, it will decay, and this series will continue until a stable isotope is produced. U-238 undergoes a multistep decay series and one of the isotopes in this series is Rn-222. Rn-222 is radioactive. It has a half-life of 3.8 days. Radon (Rn) is a gas that has a boiling point of -62°C and it is more dense than air. a. If 40 pCi of Rn was in a sealed room, what would the activity be after 38 days? b. Use the information provided about Rn to explain the infographic, namely why Rn emanates from the ground, why concentrations can build up in basements, and why it is the main cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.
Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach
2nd Edition
ISBN:9781305079243
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl
Chapter18: The Nucleus: A Chemist's View
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 28E
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Transcribed Image Text:When a radioactive isotope decays and the resulting isotope is also radioactive, it will decay, and
this series will continue until a stable isotope is produced. U-238 undergoes a multistep decay series
and one of the isotopes in this series is Rn-222. Rn-222 is radioactive. It has a half-life of 3.8 days.
Radon (Rn) is a gas that has a boiling point of -62°C and it is more dense than air.
a. If 40 pCi of Rn was in a sealed room, what would the activity be after 38 days?
b. Use the information provided about Rn to explain the infographic, namely why Rn emanates
from the ground, why concentrations can build up in basements, and why it is the main cause of
lung cancer among nonsmokers.
-1-
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