Title
The Half Life of Radon 222 and Polonium 218
Department, Center, or Institute
Physics
Presentation Format
Poster (less than 64")
Presentation Type
Research
Description
Gamow’s model of alpha decay predicts a linear relationship between the logarithm of the observed half-life of alpha emitters and the reciprocal of the square root of the kinetic energy released in the alpha decay. The relationship between the mean lives of alpha-active nuclides and the energies of the alpha particles they emit can be observed by measuring the half-lives of elements like Rn222 and Po218 which have half-lives in timescales of days and minutes. We constructed an alpha particle spectrometer to measure the 3.8 day half life of Rn-222, and constructed a timer/controller circuit to improve the data collection for the three minute half life of Po-218. Since these isotopes have such short half lives, they are not available commercially; however, we safely extracted them from Uranium ore placed in a high electric potential. The Radon was captured in charcoal placed next to the ore. Finally, we developed a Matlab program to determine the decay timescale with a three-parameter model.
Session Number
4
Start Date and Time
4-4-2017 2:30 PM
Location
PAC
Recommended Citation
Vanovac, Sara, "The Half Life of Radon 222 and Polonium 218" (2017). Furman Engaged!. 421.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/furmanengaged/2017/all/421
The Half Life of Radon 222 and Polonium 218
PAC
Gamow’s model of alpha decay predicts a linear relationship between the logarithm of the observed half-life of alpha emitters and the reciprocal of the square root of the kinetic energy released in the alpha decay. The relationship between the mean lives of alpha-active nuclides and the energies of the alpha particles they emit can be observed by measuring the half-lives of elements like Rn222 and Po218 which have half-lives in timescales of days and minutes. We constructed an alpha particle spectrometer to measure the 3.8 day half life of Rn-222, and constructed a timer/controller circuit to improve the data collection for the three minute half life of Po-218. Since these isotopes have such short half lives, they are not available commercially; however, we safely extracted them from Uranium ore placed in a high electric potential. The Radon was captured in charcoal placed next to the ore. Finally, we developed a Matlab program to determine the decay timescale with a three-parameter model.