Question 1 [AC 2.2] A sample of pitchblende (uranium oxide) will also contain all the decay products of uranium. Using the information provided in the data tables, plot a graph of activity for Protactinium-234. Use the graph to find the half life of 234Pa. Explain which of the elements in the decay series of uranium-238 you would expect to find with the greatest abundance in a sample of pitchblende. Explain why you would expect the activity of polonium in the sample to be much higher than the activity of uranium in the same sample. Relative abundance of uranium isotopes in naturally occurring samples Isotope 234U 235U 238U Abundance 0.005% 0.7% 99.3% Decay series for 238U Radioactive Isotope Half Life Type of Decay Uranium-238 4.5 billion years α Thorium-234 24 days β Protactinium-234 ? β Uranium-234 245,000 years α Thorium-230 75,000 years α Radium-226 1,600 years α Radon-222 3.8 days α Polonium-218 3.1 minutes α Lead-214 27 minutes β Bismuth-214 20 minutes β Polonium-214 0.00016 seconds α Lead-210 22 years β Bismuth-210 5 days β Polonium-210 138 days α Lead-206 (stable) Lead-214 is also a significant gamma emitter [Lead-214 ]* 0.0000062 seconds γ Properties of radioactive emissions Type of radiation Charge Mass Range in air Penetration Ionising effect Alpha (α) + 2 4 u 5 cm stopped by thin paper High ionising effect Beta (β-) - 1 11860 u 30 – 100cm stopped by a few millimetres of aluminium Medium ionising effect Gamma (γ) No charge No mass Follows the inverse square law for intensity Attenuated by metals, a proportion of the radiation passes through aluminium, lead Weak ionising effect Activity of a sample of Protactinium-234 against time Time / hours 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Activity 850 690 564 465 375 298 246 202 160 134 107

Chemistry

10th Edition

ISBN:9781305957404

Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste

Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste

Chapter1: Chemical Foundations

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...

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Question 1 [AC 2.2]

A sample of pitchblende (uranium oxide) will also contain all the decay products of uranium.

Using the information provided in the data tables, plot a graph of activity for Protactinium-234. Use the graph to find the half life of 234Pa.
Explain which of the elements in the decay series of uranium-238 you would expect to find with the greatest abundance in a sample of pitchblende.
Explain why you would expect the activity of polonium in the sample to be much higher than the activity of uranium in the same sample.

Relative abundance of uranium isotopes in naturally occurring samples

Isotope	234U	235U	238U
Abundance	0.005%	0.7%	99.3%

Decay series for 238U

Radioactive Isotope	Half Life	Type of Decay
Uranium-238	4.5 billion years	α
Thorium-234	24 days	β
Protactinium-234	?	β
Uranium-234	245,000 years	α
Thorium-230	75,000 years	α
Radium-226	1,600 years	α
Radon-222	3.8 days	α
Polonium-218	3.1 minutes	α
Lead-214 **	27 minutes	β
Bismuth-214	20 minutes	β
Polonium-214	0.00016 seconds	α
Lead-210	22 years	β
Bismuth-210	5 days	β
Polonium-210	138 days	α
Lead-206	(stable)

** Lead-214 is also a significant gamma emitter

[Lead-214 ]*

0.0000062 seconds

Properties of radioactive emissions

Type of radiation	Charge	Mass	Range in air	Penetration	Ionising effect
Alpha (α)	+ 2	4 u	5 cm	stopped by thin paper	High ionising effect
Beta (β-)	- 1	11860 u	30 – 100cm	stopped by a few millimetres of aluminium	Medium ionising effect
Gamma (γ)	No charge	No mass	Follows the inverse square law for intensity	Attenuated by metals, a proportion of the radiation passes through aluminium, lead	Weak ionising effect

Activity of a sample of Protactinium-234 against time

Time

/ hours

Activity

850

690

564

465

375

298

246

202

160

134

107

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