Can you describe to me what this is? It is my understanding that it is one of the componets of Plutonium 238. Also, could you explain what "half life" means? In simple terms as possible please. I am not a scientist. Thank you.
2007-03-24 05:27:03 · 3 answers · asked by Poohcat1 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
RN218 is a isotope of Radon which has an atomic mass of 218. It is not a component of Plutonium 238, it is its own distinctive isotope (an isotope is just a version of an element that has gained or lost neutrons). Since Radon has an atomic number of 86, that means that RN218 is an isotope with 132 neutrons.
Half life deals with radioactive decay. Radioactive elements "decay", which is basically losing particles and thus mass. Half life is defined as the amount of time it takes for a given amount of substance to lose half of its mass due to radioactive decay.
2007-03-24 05:56:37 · answer #1 · answered by billyabbott121 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not know what RN218 is. A half life however, in regards to radioactivity, is when 50 percent of the parent particle has ''changed'' into another particle. This second particle is referred to as the daughter particle. You see, radioactive particles will spontaneously change into slightly different particles. The time needed for half of the particles to change is the half life. ''Half life'' simply refers to an amount if time.
2007-03-24 12:36:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
whoa- you sound smart.
2007-03-25 12:33:42 · answer #3 · answered by oxleahxo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋