Alpha Decay of Thorium-232

232Th → 228Ra + 4He

Übersicht

Thorium-232 alpha decays to radium-228 with a half-life of 14.05 billion years, longer than the age of the universe. Thorium is about 3-4 times more abundant than uranium in Earth's crust. The thorium fuel cycle is an alternative to uranium for nuclear energy with proliferation-resistance advantages.

Teilnehmer

Rolle Substanz Koeffizient Zustand
Reaktant Thorium Th 1 (s)
Produkt Radium Ra 1 (s)
Produkt Helium He 1 (g)

Alltägliches Beispiel

Camping lantern mantles historically contained thorium oxide, which made them glow brightly when heated.

Industrielle Bedeutung

Thorium could fuel nuclear reactors with less long-lived waste than uranium. India has a major thorium reactor development program.

Eigenschaften

Typ
Nuclear
Reversibel
Nein
Energie
Exotherm
ΔH
-400000000,0 kJ/mol

Verwandte Reaktionen

Alpha Decay of Radium-226 Alpha Decay of Radon-222 Neutron Capture by Uranium-238 Beta Decay of Iodine-131 Beta Decay of Strontium-90 Alpha Decay of Polonium-210 Americium-241 Alpha Decay Beta Decay of Cobalt-60 Plutonium-239 Fission Electron Capture by Beryllium-7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Alpha Decay of Thorium-232?
The balanced equation is: ²³²Th → ²²⁸Ra + ⁴He.
What type of reaction is Alpha Decay of Thorium-232?
Alpha Decay of Thorium-232 is a nuclear reaction.
Is Alpha Decay of Thorium-232 exothermic or endothermic?
Alpha Decay of Thorium-232 is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -400000000.0 kJ/mol.