Alpha Decay of Radon-222

222Rn → 218Po + 4He

Aperçu

Radon-222, a radioactive noble gas, alpha decays to polonium-218 with a half-life of 3.82 days. As the densest naturally occurring gas, radon accumulates in basements and enclosed spaces. Its short-lived decay products (Po-218, Po-214) deposit in lungs and cause radiation damage.

Participants

Rôle Substance Coefficient État
Réactif Radon Rn 1 (g)
Produit Polonium Po 1 (s)
Produit Helium He 1 (g)

Exemple du quotidien

EPA recommends testing homes for radon, which causes an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the US alone.

Importance industrielle

Radon testing and mitigation is a significant industry. Radon is also used in earthquake prediction research and hydrological tracing.

Propriétés

Type
Nuclear
Réversible
Non
Énergie
Exothermique
ΔH
-550000000,0 kJ/mol

Réactions associées

Neutron Capture by Uranium-238 Beta Decay of Strontium-90 Beta Decay of Cobalt-60 Beta Decay of Carbon-14 Proton-Proton Chain (Solar Fusion) Uranium-235 Fission Positron Emission of Carbon-11 Positron Emission of Fluorine-18 (PET Scan) Technetium-99m Gamma Decay Alpha Decay of Radium-226

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Alpha Decay of Radon-222?
The balanced equation is: ²²²Rn → ²¹⁸Po + ⁴He.
What type of reaction is Alpha Decay of Radon-222?
Alpha Decay of Radon-222 is a nuclear reaction.
Is Alpha Decay of Radon-222 exothermic or endothermic?
Alpha Decay of Radon-222 is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -550000000.0 kJ/mol.