- #1
~Sam~
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Homework Statement
A experiment was carried out to detect the alpha particles in the decay of Radium-226, it was left for 24 hours overnight. In the end, four decay spectrums were detected. However, none of them matched the energies of decays in astatine-218, and Radon-218. But the alpha decay of Polonium-214 to Lead-210 was detected.
Homework Equations
I used the chart listed here:
http://www.downtheyellowcakeroad.org/userfiles/image/Uranium_238_DChn_TBL_608x801.png
The Attempt at a Solution
I'm thinking it has to do with the fact that the production of astatine-218 and radon-218 were done with beta decay, and that when astatine and radon go through alpha decay, the half-life is very short to be detected. However, I cannot explain why the decay of Polonium 214 to Pb-210 was detected.