Curious children are a series of children of all ages. If you have a question you would like to answer the expert, send it to Curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.
“What is Radis and why is it dangerous?” – Aurora, 10, Laredo, Texas
The radium element can be found in extremely small quantities in the Earth’s crust and ocean, and in a pure form, soft silver metal. It is impossible that a small piece of radium may look like a chip from the usual gray rock. But Radis can disseminate radiation – energy and small self -contained fragments – which you cannot feel, see or smell. And that invisible radiation can hurt you without even notice.
What happens to this silent threat that can secretly harm your body in a way that may take years to reveal?
As a chemist, I am interested in what makes different elements safely handled or dangerous. This dangerous radiation release is called radioactivity and, while its source may seem unnecessary, it can burn you or even give you a disease that does not mean years.
Atoms and isotopes
Everything you see around you – your skin, rock, book pages – all consist of different combinations of extremely small particles called atoms.
The atom has a small, density center called the nucleus. Negatively charged particles, called electrones, move around the nucleus. Inside the nucleus, there are two types of particles: positively charged protons and neutral neutrons.
All atoms with the same number of protons in the core are the same element. In addition to Radi, some of the elements you may have heard are carbon and oxygen. All carbon atoms have six protons, and all oxygen atoms have eight protons. Radi’s atoms are much heavier – all Radi’s atoms have 88 protons.
Interestingly, atoms of the same element may have a different number of neutrons. Atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons are called isotopes. For example, two carbon atoms should have six protons, but one may have six neutrons and the other may have seven or eight.
The number of protons and neutrons packed in the nucleus determines whether the nucleus of the isotope is stable or not. If the nucleus is not stable, there may be problems.
Radioactive decomposition
The nucleus of each atom wants to be stable, but it only allows certain protons and neutron layouts. The number of protons and neutrons does not necessarily have to be equal, but some combinations create a happy or stable coexistence in the nucleus and others do not.
The nucleus with an unfortunate mixture of protons and neutrons can destroy or deteriorate in some way. This process is called radioactivity or radioactive decomposition.
This radioactive decomposition process releases a certain form of radiation from the nucleus. This radiation can be of small particles that move quickly quickly, or high energy electromagnetic waves rising from the nucleus. These are that radiation-dental energy particles and waves firing from the nucleus of unstable nuclei nuclei-can you get sick.
There are different types of radioactive decomposition. In one case, the atom breaks down by knocking down a small fragment of self, consisting of two protons and two neutrons. Because the number of protons determines what element we have, the breakdown that changes the number of protons in the atoma turns it into another element.
However, the radioactive decomposition can be quite slow. It may take thousands of years before one element breaks down to another.
The case of Radi
All Radi’s atoms are unstable and radioactive. Many of these isotopes decompose very quickly, but the RA-226, which contains 138 neutrons and 88 protons, is the most common, the slowest decomposition. It takes 1600 years for half the RA-226 sample to be possible.
When the RA-226 breaks down, it loses two protons and two neutrons, which turns it into a radon isotope. Then the radon breaks down, and the atom eventually reaches a stable shape as a element lead. Each step of this breakdown series releases more nuclear radiation.
Some other elements of nature without a stable isotope are technical, polonium, actinium and uranium.
Impact on the human body
Nuclear radiation is emitted when radium and other elements decomposition can damage the cells of the human body. This can cause cancer or other health problems.
Whether you are experiencing a lot of radiation quickly, for example, make a mistake of walking with radioactive materials in your pocket for a few hours, whether you are only exposed to a little over a long period of time, high energy particles and electromagnetic waves due to nuclear radiation can cause serious health problems, including burns and cancer.
It is noteworthy that although radioactivity threatens life, scientists can control and use it to diagnose and treat diseases – including cancer. If radiation is presented exactly where cancer cells are present, radiation can destroy those dishonest cells.
People who work professionally with radioactive materials must follow strict guidelines and procedures to protect themselves. They use special shields and radiation detectors and reduce the time they affect any radioactivity.
1898 After discovering Pierre and Marie Curie, Radi experienced a negative impact of radioactivity. Pierre suffered from radioactive burns, and Marie died of a blood disease, which was probably caused by chronic radiation effects. After more than 100 years, her notebooks are still radioactive.
Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you would like to answer the expert? Ask the adult to send your question to curiouoscides@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, the age and the city you live in.
And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what is also interesting to you. We will not be able to answer every question, but we will do everything.
This article has been published from a conversation, non -profit, independent news organizations that provide you with facts and reliable analysis to help you give meaning to our complex world. It wrote this: Kelling Donald, Richmond University
Read more:
Kelling Donald is not working, consulting, having any company or organization funds, or receiving funding for which it would benefit from this article, and has not disclosed any important relationships except their academic appointment.