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Alpha decay or α-decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle ... For example, uranium-238 decays to form thorium-234.
The three naturally-occurring actinide alpha decay chains given below—thorium, uranium/radium (from uranium-238), and actinium (from uranium-235)—each ends with its own specific lead isotope (lead-208, lead-206, and lead-207 respectively).
Uranium-238 is an alpha emitter, decaying through the 18-member uranium series into lead-206. The decay series of uranium-235 (historically called actino-uranium) has 15 members and ends in lead-207. The constant rates of decay in these series makes comparison of the ratios of parent-to-daughter elements useful in radiometric dating.
Uranium emits alpha particles through the process of alpha decay. External exposure has limited effect. External exposure has limited effect. Significant internal exposure to tiny particles of uranium or its decay products, such as thorium-230, radium-226 and radon-222 , can cause severe health effects, such as cancer of the bone or liver.
Uranium-234 is a member of the uranium series and occurs in equilibrium with its progenitor, 238 U; it undergoes alpha decay with a half-life of 245,500 years [7] and decays to lead-206 through a series of relatively short-lived isotopes. Uranium-233 undergoes alpha decay with a half-life of 160,000 years and, like 235 U, is fissile. [12] It ...
Alpha particles are commonly emitted by all of the larger radioactive nuclei such as uranium, thorium, actinium, and radium, as well as the transuranic elements. Unlike other types of decay, alpha decay as a process must have a minimum-size atomic nucleus that can support it.
Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity, radioactive disintegration, or nuclear disintegration) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation. A material containing unstable nuclei is considered radioactive. Three of the most common types of decay are alpha, beta, and gamma decay.
Uranium-234 (234 U or U-234) is an isotope of uranium.In natural uranium and in uranium ore, 234 U occurs as an indirect decay product of uranium-238, but it makes up only 0.0055% (55 parts per million, or 1/18,000) of the raw uranium because its half-life of just 245,500 years is only about 1/18,000 as long as that of 238 U.