Chapter 14, Problem 14.37PAE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To determine experimental age of the ${}^{\text{238}}\text{U}$ be affected if some of the radon diffused from the rock.

Concept introduction:

Isotopes:

These are the atoms of the similar element which contains the different number of neutrons and same number of protons.

For example:

$\begin{array}{l}\text{Isotopes of Carbon}\\ {}_{\text{6}}^{\text{12}}{\text{C }}_{\text{6}}^{\text{13}}{\text{C }}_{\text{ 6}}^{\text{ 14}}\text{C}\end{array}$

Isotopes of atoms with unstable nuclei are called radioisotopes.

Radioactive decay: Unstable isotopes release particles and produce energy to become stable isotopes.

An element undergoes radioactive decay process it changes into a different isotope of the similar element or into an entirely different element after radioactive decay.

Half life:

The half lives of known radioactive isotopes vary from about ${10}^{-22}$ seconds to ${10}^{28}$ (about ${10}^{21}$ years).

The longer the half life , the lower the decay constant.

${\text{T}}_{\frac{\text{1}}{\text{2}}}\text{ = }\frac{\text{0693}}{\text{λ}}$