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?
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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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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