Question

. Of much concern to environmentalists is radon-222, which is a radioactive noble gas that can seep from the ground into basements of homes and buildings. Radon-222 is a product of the decay of radium-226 that occurs naturally in rocks and soil in much of the United States. Radon-222, which has a half-life of 3.8 days, decays by emitting an alpha particle. Radon-222, which is a gas, can be inhaled into the lungs where it is strongly associated with lung cancer. Radon levels in a home can be measured with a home radon-detection kit. Environmental agencies have set the maximum level of radon-222 in a home at 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air.

a. Write the balanced nuclear equation for the decay of Rn-222.

b. Suppose a room has a volume of 72 000 L (7.2 * 104 L). If the radon level is the maximum allowed (4 pCi/L), how many alpha particles are emitted from Rn-222 in 1 day? (1 Ci = 3.7 * 1010 disintegrations/s)

Answer 1

tvely charged Helicum nucleux is called particle. &-particle has charge ct + 2 aud a crith mall. when a radio active element enith a-particle atauic nenuber decvedes by zuwite, mars Number decreases by ulueits, 4 218 222 Rn 86 He Po 2 84 x-particle represents a-decay at Ru-222. b volume of room = 72000L maximum allowed level of saday = upcilu . Maximum lowed level of radcy in room = (72000 X 4) pci = 2,88,000 Pci -12 = 288000 xid' ci = 2.88 x1ó? ci

3.7x100 disintegrations. 2.88x1ó? ci ?? no ct disintegratius per Isea 2.88x16'x 3.7x160 3 10.658 X10 no of aixintegratious per day 3 86400 X 10.658 x 10 9206-18 XLS 8 9.206 x 10 No ct x-particles emilled in Iday 8 9. 206 X10