Watch out for Dangerous Rocks

Most recent answer: 10/22/2007

Q:
How do we get radium
- lauryn (age 13)
uk
A:
Radium is a radioactive mineral that is found in very small amounts in some kinds of rocks. "Radioactive" is another way of saying that Radium atoms are slightly unstable, which means that every now and then one will decay (sort of like exploding). The products of these tiny explosion fly off in all directions, and is often called "radiation".

The radiation that radium gives off can be harmful if you are exposed to it for a long time. Marie Curie found out about radium and its radiation and later died from it. Since it is a dangerous mineral, you probably will not be able to get any radium.

Adam

(published on 10/22/2007)