Question

Radium is a radioactive substance. It dissolves in dilute sulphuric acid and forms a compound  Radium sulphate. The compound is 

1. no longer radioactive
2. half as radioactive as the radium content
3. as radioactive as the radium content
4. twice as radioactive as the radium content

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : as radioactive as the radium content

CONCEPT:

Radioactivity: 

• Radioactivity is a process by which the nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation.
  • ​Two forces, namely the force of repulsion that is electrostatic and the powerful forces of attraction of the nucleus acts in the nucleus.
  • These two forces are considered extremely strong in nature.
  • The instability of the nucleus increases as the size of the nucleus increases because the mass of the nucleus becomes a lot to concentrate on.
  • That’s the reason why atoms of Plutonium, Uranium are extremely unstable and show radioactivity.

EXPLANATION:

• Radioactivity is a phenomenon of an unstable nucleus.
• The elements form compounds to stabilize their electronic configuration which is related to electrons.
• When a compound is formed, the electronic configuration of the element will change but the nucleus does not get affected, so it will remain radioactive.
• Therefore when radium is dissolved in dilute sulphuric acid and forms a compound Radium sulphate. The compound will be as radioactive as the radium content.
• Hence, option 3 is correct.