A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

How does uranium become lead?

Best Answers

All elements heavier than lead are intrinsically unstable. Consequently they decay over time. This is most typically “alpha decay” wherein the nucleus of the atom loses an alpha particle (the equivalent of a hydrogen nucleus), and thus becomes lighter. read more

Thus the current ratio of lead to uranium in the mineral can be used to determine its age. The method relies on two separate decay chains, the uranium series from 238 U to 206 Pb, with a half-life of 4.47 billion years and the actinium series from 235 U to 207 Pb, with a half-life of 710 million years. read more

The Uranium to Lead Process has a half-life of about 4.5 billion years. Meaning that in 4.5 billion years 1 kilogram of Uranium will have changed to a half kilogram lead and a half kilogram Uranium is still left. read more

All elements heavier than lead are intrinsically unstable. Consequently they decay over time. This is most typically “alpha decay” wherein the nucleus of the atom loses an alpha particle (the equivalent of a hydrogen nucleus), and thus becomes lighter. There is a “decay chain” wherein Uranium goes through several transitions during its decay. read more

Encyclopedia Research

Wikipedia: