Does anyone know anything about the decay series in science?

Question

My son has homework regarding the above. He has to find out the type of decay for Radium, Radon, Actinium, and chenical symbol Th.
Anyone have a clue about this.

Answer 1

A decay series is all about radioactive isotopes of elements losing radiation particles (mainly alpha and beta particles) and through this becoming another radioactive element etc etc. This decay series continues till a none radioactive element is formed after loss of a radioactive particle. If I am not mistaken then non radioactive element usually ends up being one of the lead isotopes.

So what he needs to find out is which radioactive particle radium, radon, actimium and thorium (Th) emit and what element it becomes after that decay.

for radon see
http://www.ccnr.org/radon_chart.html

for the others see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decay_chain
(you'll need to look at it and not blindly copy)



By the way alpha particles are two protons ands two electrons, beta particles are where a neutron is converted into a proton and an electron is emited. Gamma-rays are usually assiociated with radioactive decay but these do not cause a change in mass therefore no decay series if only gamma rays are emitted

Answer 2

You can see and surf wikepedia for decay series

A very excellent figure is shown in an old college physics bokk by Weber Manniing and White page 856. Source(s) College Physics Book by Weber Manning and White
page 856

Answer 3

I think it has to do with the different half - lives which are unique to the different radioactive elements. Th = Thorium.