Undergrad Beta and gamma rays from radium

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Radium, specifically the isotope 226Ra, primarily emits alpha particles during its radioactive decay. However, its decay chain includes other isotopes that can emit beta particles and gamma rays. The temperature of a radium sample is elevated due to the radiation emitted, which includes alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays, as they interact with surrounding atoms. Clarifications were sought regarding the emission of gamma rays and the decay chain of radium, confirming that while pure radium predominantly emits alpha particles, its decay products contribute to the overall radiation profile.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of radioactive decay processes
  • Familiarity with alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
  • Knowledge of decay chains in nuclear physics
  • Basic principles of thermodynamics related to radiation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the decay chain of radium-226 and its products
  • Study the properties and effects of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
  • Explore the thermodynamic effects of radiation on materials
  • Learn about radiation detection methods and tools
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in nuclear physics, radiological safety experts, and anyone interested in the properties and effects of radioactive materials.

PainterGuy
Messages
938
Reaction score
73
Hi:

A sample of radium metal maintains itself at a higher temperature than its surroundings because of the radiation it emits – alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.

More specifically, natural radium (which is mostly 226Ra) emits mostly alpha particles, but other steps in its decay chain (the uranium or radium series) emit alpha or beta particles, and almost all particle emissions are accompanied by gamma rays.[14]
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium

Question 1:
I think that the first statement suggests that it's the emission of alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays which raises the temperature of radium sample; possibly on their way out from the sample, those particles and gamma rays collide with some of the radium atoms or daughter atoms and hence the raise in temperature compared to that of the surroundings. Do I make sense?

Question 2:
I find the the second statement confusing. In the past I have mostly read that radium emits alpha, beta, and gamma rays in its process of radioactive decay. Does it mean that the pure element radium only emits alpha particles? No gamma rays as well?

I do not understand the statement where it says "but other steps its decay chain ... emit alpha or beta particles". Could you please help me with it?

Thank you for the help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K