History of the Universe

History of the Universe eBook. 398 pages, 300 illustrations only £5.99

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Terrestrial Radioactivity

The inside of the Earth is hot because it contains radioactive atoms, mainly uranium, produced during the supernova which preceded the formation of the Solar System. Because of the energy released, radioactive decay releases heat. It is the source of heat in the Earth, keeping the core hot, and causing continental drift. It may also have caused the Earth to release the gases which made the first atmosphere.

Everybody on Earth receives radioactive radiation (correctly called ionizing radiation) from various sources. Almost all of it comes from the Earth and other natural sources, as shown in this chart.

Global Radiation Exposure data from HICARE

Notice that most man-made radiation comes from medical X-rays and other treatments. Only a tiny amount (about 1%) comes from pollution such as discharges from nuclear power plants.

Alpha Radioactivity

Large atoms such as uranium are too large to hold themselves together. They contain too many protons, which all repel each other, so the nucleus breaks apart into an alpha particle and a nucleus. This type of radioactivity keeps the Earth and other planets warm. Because the rate of decay is predictable, it also allows us to date rocks and other materials.

Radioactive Dating

 We have already seen that it is impossible to tell when any single radioactive nucleus will decay but, given a large number of nuclei, it is possible to predict how many will decay in a given time.

Because radioactive nuclei decay in a predictable way, we can use their decay to calculate the age of rocks, of remains of living tissue and other materials. In this way many of the dates given in this website have been worked out.

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History of the Universe eBook
History of the Universe eBook
Only £5.99

Written by Wyken Seagrave
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