The most common isotope of uranium, 23892U, produces radon, 22286Rn, through the following sequence of decays:

A sample of 23892U will build up equilibrium concentrations of its daughter nuclei down to 22688Ra; the concentrations of each are such that each daughter is produced as fast as it decays. The 22686Ra decays to 22286Rn, which escapes as a gas. (The alpha particles also escape, as helium; this is a source of much of the helium found on Earth.) Radon is a health hazard when it occurs in high concentrations in buildings built on soil or foundations containing uranium ores, as it can be inhaled.
a) Look up the necessary data, and calculate the rate at which 1.00 kg of equilibrium mixture of 23892U and its first five daughters produces 22286Rn (mass per unit time).
b) What activity (in curies per unit time) of radon does this represent?

Transcribed Image Text:

234 234 234 234 Pa→ 92 234 es 92 234 230 226 Cr.