tórium232

Thorium-232 is a naturally occurring isotope of thorium. It is the parent isotope of the thorium decay series, which ultimately decays to stable lead-208. Thorium-232 has a very long half-life of approximately 1.405 x 10^10 years, which is longer than the age of the Earth. This means that almost all the thorium-232 that existed when the Earth formed is still present today.

The decay of thorium-232 proceeds through a series of alpha and beta decays. Its primary decay product is radium-228, which then decays to actinium-228, and so on. This decay chain involves several intermediate radioactive isotopes, each with its own half-life and decay mode. The final stable product is lead-208.

Because of its abundance and long half-life, thorium-232 is the most common thorium isotope found in nature. It is present in small amounts in rocks, soil, and water. While it is radioactive, its low specific activity means that it poses a relatively low radiological hazard in its natural state.

Thorium-232 has been explored as a potential nuclear fuel. In a thorium-based nuclear reactor, thorium-232 can be converted into fissile uranium-233 through neutron capture. This process could potentially offer advantages in terms of fuel availability and waste management compared to traditional uranium-based reactors. However, the development of thorium reactors faces technical and economic challenges.