Great question—I could write a whole article in response to this! The inner earth is super hot because of radioactive isotopes of uranium (particularly U-238), thorium (Th-232), and potassium (K-40). Radioisotopes emit energetic particles and "decay" into other elements, which themselves decay again, and again, until they reach a stable isotope (usually lead). This process is called the radioactive decay chain of the isotope.
Radon is part of the radioactive decay chain of uranium-238. While all radioactive isotopes emit ionizing radiation and are dangerous, radon is of particular concern because it's a gas and can permeate the ground and enter houses. For most people, radon gas accounts for more exposure to radioactivity than any other source.
Yes. A photon can knock an electron out of an atom if its energy meets or exceeds the electron’s binding energy. This binding energy, specific to the electron’s orbital and atom type, is often called ionization energy for valence electrons. If the photon’s energy matches the binding energy, the electron is ejected, and any excess energy becomes the electron’s kinetic energy. Binding energy varies based on the electron’s shell, with inner-shell electrons being more tightly bound than outer ones. It also depends on the atomic number, as higher nuclear charge increases binding energy, and the chemical environment, which can slightly modify electron energy levels. There are a few other quantum-mechanical factors at play, but I won't go down that rabbit hole.
I think Planck’s law oftentimes (usually?) refers to the full Maxwell blackbody spectral distribution, which is the more fundamental (and interesting, imo) law. You get what you have in your post by integrating, but showing the full graphs would be nice.
The formatting on your Stefan-Boltzman law got a bit messed up.
The QM stuff is complicated and deep. A photon is only a particle when “you” are looking, but “you” maybe doesn’t need to be a person.
Thank you Tanner. What about radon and radiation that comes from the earth that has been deemed dangerous at certain levels. Is that a myth or no?
Great question—I could write a whole article in response to this! The inner earth is super hot because of radioactive isotopes of uranium (particularly U-238), thorium (Th-232), and potassium (K-40). Radioisotopes emit energetic particles and "decay" into other elements, which themselves decay again, and again, until they reach a stable isotope (usually lead). This process is called the radioactive decay chain of the isotope.
Radon is part of the radioactive decay chain of uranium-238. While all radioactive isotopes emit ionizing radiation and are dangerous, radon is of particular concern because it's a gas and can permeate the ground and enter houses. For most people, radon gas accounts for more exposure to radioactivity than any other source.
I wrote a whole article on this on my company blog if you're interested, which includes the decay chain from radon-222: https://elementalairsystems.com/blogs/air-education-blog/can-hepa-filtration-reduce-radon-decay-products
I guess the "ionizing" "non-ionizing" distinction depends a least a bit on whihc atom the electon is or is not knocked away from, right?
Yes. A photon can knock an electron out of an atom if its energy meets or exceeds the electron’s binding energy. This binding energy, specific to the electron’s orbital and atom type, is often called ionization energy for valence electrons. If the photon’s energy matches the binding energy, the electron is ejected, and any excess energy becomes the electron’s kinetic energy. Binding energy varies based on the electron’s shell, with inner-shell electrons being more tightly bound than outer ones. It also depends on the atomic number, as higher nuclear charge increases binding energy, and the chemical environment, which can slightly modify electron energy levels. There are a few other quantum-mechanical factors at play, but I won't go down that rabbit hole.
Very nice post!
Thank you!
Another great article Tanner!
If you need help with your homework...uhhhh...I'm busy that day! - Dad
I think Planck’s law oftentimes (usually?) refers to the full Maxwell blackbody spectral distribution, which is the more fundamental (and interesting, imo) law. You get what you have in your post by integrating, but showing the full graphs would be nice.
The formatting on your Stefan-Boltzman law got a bit messed up.
The QM stuff is complicated and deep. A photon is only a particle when “you” are looking, but “you” maybe doesn’t need to be a person.
Yes, all true. This is not an article for physicists, though, so some simplifications need to be made for general understandability.