Separation+of+234mPa+from+238U+and+measurement+of+its+half-life

Learning Goals
To separate 234m Pa from uranyl nitrate and to measure its half-life.

Theory
One of the four natural radioactive decay series is the (4n + 2) series which starts at 238 U. The first few steps in the series may be represented as follows: In any sample of natural uranium, although the bulk may be 238 U, small amounts of 234 Th, 234m Pa, 234 Pa and 234 U will be present. Since thorium and protactinium are chemically different from uranium, chemical separation methods may be used to isolate these elements from a sample of natural uranium. This experiment, involves the separation of 234m Pa (and 234 Pa, although the amount of this will be too small to measure) by the use of an ion exchange resin.

You are provided with an ion exchange column containing Amberlite IR-120, a sulphonated polystyrene cation exchange resin. If a solution of 238 U, 234 Th and 234m Pa is poured through this resin at approximately pH 7, all three metal ions exchange with H + ions on the column and are absorbed onto the resin. However, at lower pH values H + ions can successfully displace 238 U (which in this experiment is in the form of the uranyl ion UO 2 2+ ) and the 234m Pa, leaving only 234 Th adsorbed. If 234 Th is left alone on the column for a few minutes its radioactive decay gives rise to 234m Pa, which can then be removed from the resin by passing more acid through the column.

Experimental Procedure
Experimental procedure for the separation of 234mPa from 238U and measurement of its half-life

Questions for the Students

 * 1) What does the ‘m’ stand for in 234m Pa, and what does it mean?
 * 2) Which type(s) of radioactive decay are occurring in this experiment?
 * 3) Why is the trace not a smooth curve?
 * 4) Why is it necessary to stop the flow while measuring the counts?
 * 5) What is the major source of error in this experiment?
 * 6) Why was thorium not washed off the column with the protactinium and uranium?

Safety Aspects
Description of the equipment needed and used during the exercises.
 * Great care should be taken to avoid getting uranium compounds in solid or liquid form on the skin as uranium is extremely toxic as well as radioactive.
 * A lab coat, disposable gloves and safety glasses should be worn at all times.=== Equipment ===
 * **DO NOT** dispose of any liquid or solid waste down sinks or in waste bins. Place in the red waste buckets provided.

Preparation for the lab Supervisor
Ion exchange column Liquid Geiger counter Waste bottle for uranyl nitrate Glass beaker for water 500 mL dH 2 O 200 mL 2 M HCl 200 mL 5 M HCl
 * Equipment **
 * Consumables **

3 g of uranyl nitrate preweighed in boiling tube 127 kBq
 * Sources**

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