Radium-226 Is a Common Isotope on Earth,but Has a Half-Life

question 51

Multiple Choice

Radium-226 is a common isotope on Earth,but has a half-life of about 1600 years.Given that Earth is some 5 billions years old,why is there any radium at all?

• A)Radium-226 is one of several self-transmutating isotopes of the elements of the periodic table and is able to replenish itself so that it is never depleted.
• B)Radium-226 and Radium-218 undergo a series of transmutation reactions of alpha and beta decay to repeatedly become one another approximately every 1600 years.
• C)Radium-226 is a "daughter" isotope and the result of the radioactive decay of uranium.
• D)Radium-226 and Astatine-218 are converted back and forth via transmutation to one another at each of their respective half-life cycles.

---

Definitions:

Right of Distress

The legal ability of a landlord to seize a tenant's assets for unpaid rent or other dues.

Guarantor

A person or entity that agrees to be responsible for another's debt or obligations in the event that the latter defaults or fails to meet their contractual obligations.

Secured Debt

A type of debt that is backed by collateral to reduce the risk for the lender, allowing the lender to reclaim the asset if the debt is not paid.

Builders' Liens

Legal claims against a property by workers or suppliers who have not been paid for services or materials provided in the construction or improvement of that property.