Critical Thinking
Use the figure below to answer Questions 23 and 24.
Classifying In the illustrated uranium-238 decay sequence, classify the type of radiation released in each of the transmutations from uranium-238 to radon-222.
Making Generalizations Study the sequence of decay from radon-222 to lead-206. Make a generalization as to what type of decay lead, polonium, and bismuth undergo until stable lead-206 is formed.
Inferring A film badge consists of a piece of film wrapped in a piece of dark plastic or paper. Doses of what kinds of radiation can be measured with this simple piece of equipment? Explain.
Calculating The first sample of californium was made by bombarding a target isotope with alpha particles. In addition to californium-245, the reaction produced a neutron. What was the target isotope?
Math Skills
Calculating After 36.9 years, a sample of hydrogen-3 contains one eighth of the amount it contained originally. What is the half-life of the isotope?
Calculating The half-life of iron-59 is 44.5 days. After 133.5 days, 2.76 g of iron-59 remains. What was the mass of the original sample?
Inferring The beta emissions from a bone that was found buried in a cave indicate that there are 4.6 carbon-14 decays per gram of carbon per minute. A chicken bone from a fast-food restaurant shows 18.4 emissions per gram of carbon per minute. How old is the bone from the cave?
Concepts in Action
Inferring Radioisotopes are commonly used in medical tests to diagnose diseases. do the radioisotopes used for this purpose have long half-lives or short half-lives? Explain.
Applying Concepts Americium-241 and radon-222 both emit alpha particles. Americium is found in almost every home as a component of smoke detectors. But radon is considered a health hazard. Why is radon more hazardous?
Making Judgments If a fusion power plant could be constructed, why might it be a better source of energy than a fission plant?
Writing in Science Write a paragraph explaining how radon gas can collect in buildings. (Hint: The first sentence in your paragraph should state the paragraph's main idea.)
Performance-Based Assessment
Evaluating Many transuranium elements were named for the scientists who synthesized them or the location in which they were produced. Choose such a transuranium element, find out how it was created, and evaluate its importance. Write a pamphlet informing your classmates about the element you chose.
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