Chapter 2 Overview

This chapter provides an overview of physical properties of radon and the process of changing from a stable gas to radioactive decay products.

Chapter Outline

• Chapter 2: Radon, Radiation, and Radioactivity
  • Radon Physics
    • Elements
    • Atomic Structure
  • Ionizing Radiation
    • Unstable Atoms
    • Radiation
    • Types of Radiation
  • Radioactive Decay
    • Radon Gas vs Radon Decay Products
    • Half-Life
    • Uranium Decay Chain
    • Radon Half Life Progression
  • Measurement Units
    • Radon Gas
    • Radon Decay Products
    • Factors that Affect the Ability to Measure Radon
    • Summary of Progression of Indoor Radon

Chapter Learning Objectives

• Describe the components of an atom and the atomic structure
• Define the basic characteristics of radon
• Explain the concepts of ionization and ionizing radiation
• Cite three different types of ionizing radiation
• Identify the most damaging type of radiation to human tissue
• Cite the primary elements of the radon decay chain
• Summarize the difference between radon and radon decay products
• Identify the measurement units of radon and RDPs
• Identify the half-life of radon
• Explain the concept of Working Level
• Explain the concept of Dynamic Equilibrium
• Be able to calculate equilibrium ratio based on the standard formulas
• List the Chemical Properties of Radon