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On radium.
I dont think it is the release of particles actually. Is it not matter(particles) converted into energy via E=MC2? The radioactive element Radium for example releases small amounts of radiation by releasing the energy contained within its mass.
I dont think it is the release of particles actually. Is it not matter(particles) converted into energy via E=MC2? The radioactive element Radium for example releases small amounts of radiation by releasing the energy contained within its mass.
[[User:JJacob|JJacob]] 18:10, 8 July 2008 (EDT)
[[User:JJacob|JJacob]] 18:10, 8 July 2008 (EDT)
: Radium releases alpha particles (2 protons and 2 neutrons). Beta radiation are protons. A chart of the decay chain of uranium can be see at [http://www.nuenergy.org/alt/radium.htm here]. The decay product of Radium is radon. Specifically, radium has 88 protons and 138 neutrons and becomes radon with 86 protons and 136 neutrons -- two less protons and two less neutrons. There is also a small amount of energy released in the form of kinetic energy (heat) that was previously holding the alpha particle in the nucleus causing the atom to move. It is this heat/kinetic energy that is captured in a fission power plant. You can read more about the exact nature of the decay of radium [http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q2549.html here]. --[[User:Rutm|Rutm]] 18:21, 8 July 2008 (EDT)