How much heat can radium produce from its decay?

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SUMMARY

Radium produces significant heat through its radioactive decay, with a decay rate of approximately 8.2 x 1012 decays per second per mole. Each decay releases about 4.9 MeV of energy, leading to a total energy production of 6.4 W/mole or 28 W/kg from radium alone, and up to 160 W/kg when including reaction products. The half-life of radium is approximately 1600 years, and effective heat generation requires proper containment of decay products like radon. While radium can generate substantial heat, its high cost and safety concerns necessitate careful handling to prevent exposure to radioactive materials.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of radioactive decay and half-life concepts
  • Familiarity with energy units such as MeV and Joules
  • Knowledge of Avogadro's number and its application in chemistry
  • Basic principles of heat transfer and insulation techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the safety protocols for handling radioactive materials like radium
  • Explore the principles of plasma generation and ionization
  • Learn about the containment methods for radioactive decay products
  • Investigate the economic implications of using radium in energy production
USEFUL FOR

Researchers in nuclear physics, safety engineers, and professionals in the field of radioactive materials management will benefit from this discussion.

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Ive heard how radium can be radioactive and give off much heat but still be safe.
But is it hot enough to ionize gas and make plasma? Can anyone help me?
 
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1 mole (0.226 kg) of radium has 6.0 * 10^23 atoms (Avogrado's number N)

\frac {N \ln{2}} { T } of those will be decaying each second.

where T is the half life of radium in seconds, and ln(2) the natural logarithm of 2 (about 0.693)
The half life of radium is about 1600 years.

This is 8.2*10^12 decays/second.

The decay energy is 4.9 MeV, producing radon, which is a gas, which might escape.
If you contain the radon and all other short-lived reaction products, about 28 MeV/decay is produced.

1eV is 1.6 * 10^-19 J.

Energy production is 8.2*10^12 * 4.9 *10^6 * 1.6 * 10^-19 = 6.4 W/mole or 28W/kg
from just the radium decay, or 160 W/kg including the reaction products.

It can get as hot as you like if you stack up enough radium, and pack it in with heat
isolation. Radium is extremely expensive however, and not safe, unless youmake sure that none of the decay products can ever get out.
 

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