Alpha Decay of Thorium-232

232Th → 228Ra + 4He

Aperçu

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.

Participants

Rôle Substance Coefficient État
Réactif Thorium Th 1 (s)
Produit Radium Ra 1 (s)
Produit Helium He 1 (g)

Exemple du quotidien

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

Importance industrielle

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

Propriétés

Type
Nuclear
Réversible
Non
Énergie
Exothermique
ΔH
-400000000,0 kJ/mol

Réactions associées

Alpha Decay of Radon-222 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) Alpha Decay of Radium-226

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.