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decay series

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

decay series The sequence of radioactive daughter nuclides that are formed by the radioactive decay of a parent nuclide to a final, stable daughter nuclide. For example, uranium has three naturally occurring isotopes, ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U, and ²³⁴U, all of which are radioactive. Thorium exists mainly as one isotope (²³²Th) which is also radioactive. In addition, five radioactive isotopes of thorium occur in nature as short-lived, intermediate daughters of ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U, and ²³²Th. Each of these isotopes is the parent of a chain (decay series) of radioactive daughters, each ending with stable isotopes of lead. Decay of ²³⁸U gives rise to the ‘uranium series’ which includes ²³⁴U as an intermediate daughter and ends in stable ²⁰⁶Pb. The decay of ²³⁵U gives rise to the ‘actinium series’ which ends in stable ²⁰⁷Pb. The decay of ²³²Th results in the emission of six alpha and four beta particles (see alpha decay and beta decay) leading to the formation of stable ²⁰⁸Pb.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "decay series." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "decay series." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-decayseries.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "decay series." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-decayseries.html

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decay series

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

decay series Radioactive decay of a parent nuclide through a sequence of radioactive daughter nuclides to a final, stable daughter nuclide. Uranium has three naturally occurring isotopes: ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U, and ²³⁴U; all are radioactive. Thorium exists mainly as one isotope (²³²Th) which is also radioactive. In addition, five radioactive isotopes of thorium occur in nature as shortlived, intermediate daughters of ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U, and ²³²Th. Each of these isotopes is the parent of a chain (decay series) of radioactive daughters, each ending with stable isotopes of lead. Decay of ²³⁸U gives rise to the ‘uranium series’ which includes ²³⁴U as an intermediate daughter and ends in stable ²⁰⁶Pb. The decay of ²³⁵U gives rise to the ‘actinium series’ which ends in stable ²⁰⁷Pb. The decay of ²³²Th results in the emission of six alpha and four beta particles (see ALPHA DECAY; and BETA DECAY) leading to the formation of stable ²⁰⁸Pb.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "decay series." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "decay series." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-decayseries.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "decay series." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-decayseries.html

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