Alpha Decay of Radon-222

222Rn → 218Po + 4He

Overview

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

Role Substance Coefficient State
Reactant Radon Rn 1 (g)
Product Polonium Po 1 (s)
Product Helium He 1 (g)

Everyday Example

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

Industrial Importance

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

Properties

Type
Nuclear
Reversible
No
Energy
Exothermic
ΔH
-550000000.0 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Alpha Decay of Polonium-210 Alpha Decay of Radium-226 Alpha Decay of Thorium-232 Alpha Decay of Uranium-238 Americium-241 Alpha Decay Beta Decay of Carbon-14 Beta Decay of Cesium-137 Beta Decay of Cobalt-60 Beta Decay of Iodine-131 Beta Decay of Potassium-40

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.