I doubt this would ever happen, but my question is if it could happen?
Scenario:
Metal shop or welding teacher places 2% thoriated tungsten electrodes (usually pack of 10 or something) into a beryllium lined box. I don't even know if there is such thing as beryllium box, but just play along with me here.
1) Does the thorium in the TIG electrode emit neutrons as it decays?
2) If it does, could it create enough U-233 (emitted neutrons bounce off beryllium back into thorium) to cause a reaction in which enough radiation is emitted to potentially harm a person? I doubted this, as the amount of thorium would be so minimal, that any U-233 produced would also be extremely minimal.
*Assuming the rods are just left there in storage for a month or two*
Which is also extremely unlikely, unless left there during the summer when school is out, as they are consumed regularly by the other dumb students who don't know how to weld properly...
Also, on a similar note, I TIG weld steel using the 2% thoriated rods at school at least a few times a week, does this present a health risk at all (perhaps long-term risks), or am i good to go lol.
I figured this to be chemistry related, but please do move it if it fits a better subject.
Hey MJ, all of your "friends" that you like to neg me for, have they even tried to answer your question? Are they even willing to talk to you? But you will neg me for them won't you? You're a swell guy. I have proof.
QUOTE
Michael J Posted: Today at 9:28 PM
Negative The Barrack's bitch. Errr, i mean army man
Negative The Barrack's bitch. Errr, i mean army man
QUOTE (Michael J+Jul 2 2009, 06:39 PM)
I doubt this would ever happen, but my question is if it could happen?
Scenario:
Metal shop or welding teacher places 2% thoriated tungsten electrodes (usually pack of 10 or something) into a beryllium lined box. I don't even know if there is such thing as beryllium box, but just play along with me here.
1) Does the thorium in the TIG electrode emit neutrons as it decays?
2) If it does, could it create enough U-233 (emitted neutrons bounce off beryllium back into thorium) to cause a reaction in which enough radiation is emitted to potentially harm a person? I doubted this, as the amount of thorium would be so minimal, that any U-233 produced would also be extremely minimal.
*Assuming the rods are just left there in storage for a month or two*
Which is also extremely unlikely, unless left there during the summer when school is out, as they are consumed regularly by the other dumb students who don't know how to weld properly...
Also, on a similar note, I TIG weld steel using the 2% thoriated rods at school at least a few times a week, does this present a health risk at all (perhaps long-term risks), or am i good to go lol.
I figured this to be chemistry related, but please do move it if it fits a better subject.
I was going to answer, but I figured meem had it all under control, and that he'd explain to you that Thorium 232 is (I believe) the isotope found in thorium oxide, and thus in EWTH-2 TIG rods, and it's half life is on the order of the age of the universe. So nothing much would happen, AFAIK.
Scenario:
Metal shop or welding teacher places 2% thoriated tungsten electrodes (usually pack of 10 or something) into a beryllium lined box. I don't even know if there is such thing as beryllium box, but just play along with me here.
1) Does the thorium in the TIG electrode emit neutrons as it decays?
2) If it does, could it create enough U-233 (emitted neutrons bounce off beryllium back into thorium) to cause a reaction in which enough radiation is emitted to potentially harm a person? I doubted this, as the amount of thorium would be so minimal, that any U-233 produced would also be extremely minimal.
*Assuming the rods are just left there in storage for a month or two*
Which is also extremely unlikely, unless left there during the summer when school is out, as they are consumed regularly by the other dumb students who don't know how to weld properly...
Also, on a similar note, I TIG weld steel using the 2% thoriated rods at school at least a few times a week, does this present a health risk at all (perhaps long-term risks), or am i good to go lol.
I figured this to be chemistry related, but please do move it if it fits a better subject.
I was going to answer, but I figured meem had it all under control, and that he'd explain to you that Thorium 232 is (I believe) the isotope found in thorium oxide, and thus in EWTH-2 TIG rods, and it's half life is on the order of the age of the universe. So nothing much would happen, AFAIK.
QUOTE (MjolnirPants+Jul 7 2009, 04:08 AM)
I was going to answer, but I figured meem had it all under control, and that he'd explain to you that Thorium 232 is (I believe) the isotope found in thorium oxide, and thus in EWTH-2 TIG rods, and it's half life is on the order of the age of the universe. So nothing much would happen, AFAIK.
Thanks, i feel much safer
.
My chem and metalshop teacher are both friends, too much room for error in the exchange of materials, or perhaps i am just paranoid.
Either way, if this is impossible, all the better! I figure if the stuff is readily obtainable, then it can't be too bad.
Meem:
I just don't like you. I know lots of veterans, none of them seem to have picked up the douche-bag attitude you seem to carry, when they came back from the desert (1st gulf).
I suppose just because you served, you are special? You have gained the wisdom of the ages through taking it in the barracks all day? Umm, i mean "friendly harassment" of course
...
In fact, i'm so proud of you, you should re-enlist! Why are you wasting your time on us unhonorable forum members, where justice is clearly never served
? Or perhaps you, "the prodigy", should put your master intelligence to greater use than arguing with us bumbling fools? You could be saving the world and winning nobel prizes right now 
. I think you owe it to yourself, with such unused potential
Thanks, i feel much safer
. My chem and metalshop teacher are both friends, too much room for error in the exchange of materials, or perhaps i am just paranoid.
Either way, if this is impossible, all the better! I figure if the stuff is readily obtainable, then it can't be too bad.
Meem:
I just don't like you. I know lots of veterans, none of them seem to have picked up the douche-bag attitude you seem to carry, when they came back from the desert (1st gulf).
I suppose just because you served, you are special? You have gained the wisdom of the ages through taking it in the barracks all day? Umm, i mean "friendly harassment" of course
... In fact, i'm so proud of you, you should re-enlist! Why are you wasting your time on us unhonorable forum members, where justice is clearly never served
? Or perhaps you, "the prodigy", should put your master intelligence to greater use than arguing with us bumbling fools? You could be saving the world and winning nobel prizes right now . I think you owe it to yourself, with such unused potential
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