Lead-207

Definition

Lead-207 is a stable isotope of the element lead. It is the final decay product of the uranium-235 decay chain, making it an important isotope in the study of radioactive decay and nuclear physics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lead-207 is the end product of the uranium-235 decay chain, which is the most common naturally occurring isotope of uranium.
2. The half-life of lead-207 is approximately 4.9 billion years, making it a stable isotope that does not undergo further radioactive decay.
3. The abundance of lead-207 in the Earth's crust is approximately 22.1%, making it the second most abundant isotope of lead after lead-206.
4. The stability of lead-207 is a key factor in its use as a geochronological tool, allowing scientists to date the age of geological formations and meteorites.
5. The presence of lead-207 in rocks and minerals can provide information about the age and origin of the Earth's crust and the solar system.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of lead-207 as the final decay product of the uranium-235 decay chain.
  • Lead-207 is the stable end product of the uranium-235 decay chain, which is the most common naturally occurring isotope of uranium. This means that as uranium-235 undergoes a series of radioactive decay events, it eventually reaches the stable isotope of lead-207. The stability of lead-207 is crucial, as it allows scientists to use the relative abundance of this isotope in rocks and minerals to determine the age of geological formations and the Earth's crust, providing valuable information about the history and evolution of the planet.
• Describe how the half-life of lead-207 contributes to its use as a geochronological tool.
  • The half-life of lead-207 is approximately 4.9 billion years, which is significantly longer than the age of the Earth. This long half-life means that lead-207 is a stable isotope that does not undergo further radioactive decay, making it an ideal candidate for use in geochronological studies. By measuring the relative abundance of lead-207 in rocks and minerals, scientists can determine the age of these geological formations, as the ratio of lead-207 to other lead isotopes will change over time due to the radioactive decay of the parent isotopes, such as uranium-235. This allows for accurate dating of the Earth's crust and the solar system, providing valuable insights into the planet's history and evolution.
• Analyze the role of lead-207 in the study of radioactive decay and nuclear physics, and how this contributes to our understanding of the Earth's formation and the history of the solar system.
  • Lead-207 is a crucial isotope in the study of radioactive decay and nuclear physics because it is the final, stable decay product of the uranium-235 decay chain. By studying the abundance and distribution of lead-207 in rocks and minerals, scientists can gain insights into the age and origin of the Earth's crust and the solar system. The long half-life of lead-207 allows it to be used as a geochronological tool, providing accurate dating of geological formations and meteorites. This, in turn, helps us understand the timeline of the Earth's formation and the evolution of the solar system, including the processes that led to the creation of the various elements found in the universe. Additionally, the study of lead-207 and its relationship to the uranium-235 decay chain contributes to our overall understanding of radioactive decay, nuclear stability, and the fundamental principles of nuclear physics.

Related terms

Radioactive Decay:

The spontaneous process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves.

Uranium-235 Decay Chain: The series of radioactive decay events that occur as uranium-235 undergoes a sequence of alpha and beta decays to eventually reach the stable isotope lead-207.

Isotope:

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different atomic masses.