2a) What is the average 226Ra alpha particle heat power output of 1 tonne of New Zealand soil? 2b) Why does soil not heat up from the energy of alpha decay? 2c) In our soil 226RA is, on average, found at a concentration of around 1 part per million, by mass. How many grammes of 22°Ra are in 1 tonne of soil?

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2a) What is the average 226Ra alpha particle heat power output of 1 tonne of New Zealand soil?
2b) Why does soil not heat up from the energy of alpha decay?
2c) In our soil 226RA is, on average, found at a concentration of around 1 part per million, by mass.
How many grammes of 22°RA are in 1 tonne of soil?
2d) How many tonnes of soil would need to be processed to obtain sufficient 226Ra to create a sample
with a 1W alpha energy output? Is this practical?
2e) 22°Ra is part of the decay chain of 238U. Will the concentrations of the other decay products (in
ppm, say) be identical to that of 22°RA? Explain your reasoning.
2f) Explain how radioactive material in New Zealand soil could get in to the human body and discuss
the health risks of alpha emitting radionuclides.
Transcribed Image Text:2a) What is the average 226Ra alpha particle heat power output of 1 tonne of New Zealand soil? 2b) Why does soil not heat up from the energy of alpha decay? 2c) In our soil 226RA is, on average, found at a concentration of around 1 part per million, by mass. How many grammes of 22°RA are in 1 tonne of soil? 2d) How many tonnes of soil would need to be processed to obtain sufficient 226Ra to create a sample with a 1W alpha energy output? Is this practical? 2e) 22°Ra is part of the decay chain of 238U. Will the concentrations of the other decay products (in ppm, say) be identical to that of 22°RA? Explain your reasoning. 2f) Explain how radioactive material in New Zealand soil could get in to the human body and discuss the health risks of alpha emitting radionuclides.
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