How much Gamma Radiation does Radium produce

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the gamma radiation produced by radium, specifically the levels of radiation emitted and the associated dangers. Participants explore the nature of gamma radiation in relation to radium's decay properties and the implications for safety and shielding.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant confirms that radium produces gamma rays but questions the intensity and safety levels of this radiation.
  • Another participant notes that while alpha decay is more dangerous when ingested, gamma rays, although lower in energy, can travel further and pose a risk based on their intensity and the amount of radioactive material present.
  • A different participant emphasizes that the danger from alpha particles is primarily internal, while gamma rays can be attenuated by high atomic number materials, and mentions that the gamma emission depends on the quantity of radium and its half-life of 1600 years.
  • One participant specifies a usage scenario involving 1 to 1.5 grams of radium.
  • Another participant reiterates the half-life of radium and suggests calculating the number of atoms to understand the gamma emissions, while also considering decay paths and daughter products.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the dangers posed by alpha versus gamma radiation and the specifics of radium's gamma emissions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact levels of gamma radiation and safety measures.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for calculations based on the amount of radium and its decay characteristics, indicating that assumptions about decay paths and daughter products are not fully resolved.

Kalrag
Messages
104
Reaction score
0
Alright, I've confirmed that Radium produces Gamma rays. But how much does it put off? Is it a really high level or a tolerable level that can be stopped.
 
Science news on Phys.org
Most of the danger is from alpha decay, the gamma are lower energy but travel further.

Your question is really two parts. The danger of gamma rays comes from their intensity - how much radioactive stuff there is and how much gamma it emits - therefore how many gamma photons you are going to receive. Gamma radiation at any energy is harmful so there isn't a huge health difference with energy.
How easy it is to stop does depend on the energy

see http://www.evs.anl.gov/pub/doc/Radium.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The danger from any alpha particle emitter is only if you get it inside the body. They are harmless external to the body. Gamma's are best attenuated by high Z materials, say depleted U or Pb. The amount of gamma's given off by Ra depends on the amount of Ra and it's half life (1600 yrs).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium
 
say I am using about 1 - 1 1/2 grams of radium.
 
and that the half life was 1600 years.
 
Kalrag said:
say I am using about 1 - 1 1/2 grams of radium.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-life

Calculate number of atoms you have, plug into equation on this page. You'd need to figure out whether the gamma's come along with the alpha's, or some competing decay path. Also consider the gamma's, etc. of any daughter products with short half lives...
 

Similar threads

Gamma Radiation and Electrolysis
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
714
Graduate Gamma detection -- Cherenkov radiation in gamma-scintillator interaction
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Can somebody explain this: Planck's Law in action
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Undergrad Beta and gamma rays from radium
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
Can Geiger Counter Ticks be converted into particle/wave counts?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Undergrad How Did Ancient Persians Use Ice Pools to Produce Ice in the Desert?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Undergrad Gamma Radiation: How Does It Pass Through & Damage the Body?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
High School GRB 250702B, the longest gamma-ray burst in history
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Gamma and beta radiation in accelerators?
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
7K