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PRIMORDIAL RADIONUCLIDE [1 record]

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Record 1 2009-10-08

English

Subject field(s)
  • Chemistry
  • Atomic Physics
CONT

Naturally occurring radionuclides fall into three categories: primordial radionuclides, secondary radionuclides and cosmogenic radionuclides. Primordial radionuclides originate mainly from the interiors of stars and, like uranium and thorium, are still present because their half-lives are so long that they have not yet completely decayed. Secondary radionuclides are radiogenic isotopes derived from the decay of primordial radionuclides. They have shorter half-lives than primordial radionuclides. Cosmogenic isotopes, such as carbon-14, are present because they are continually being formed in the atmosphere due to cosmic rays.

Key term(s)
  • primordial radionucleide

French

Domaine(s)
  • Chimie
  • Physique atomique

Spanish

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