Re: Kr-85 -> ionization -> oxidants -> acid rain??

[jkuperus@custompharmacy.com]

Bob,



Please check out this reference:



Telegada,K. & Ferber, G.J. (1975): Atmospheric concentrations and

inventory

  of Krypton-85 in 1973. Science, 190, pp.882-883



They describe the layers of Krypton in the atmosphere, and how

air currents mix gasses in the atmosphere.



Just a chemist, John



>

>---- Original Message ----

>From: BobCherry@AOL.COM

>To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

>Subject: Re: Kr-85 -> ionization -> oxidants -> acid rain??

>Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2003 19:35:48 EDT

>

>>In a message dated 4/16/2003 5:24:50 PM Central Daylight Time, 

>>jkuperus@custompharmacy.com writes:

>>

>>> Kr is non reactive, heavier than air, and washed out of the

>>> atmosphere with every rain.

>>

>>Careful with the statement "heavier than air" when talking about

>gases. This 

>>crops up in RADSAFE in radon discussions, also. The idea is

>misleading for 

>>gases; you may be thinking of liquids.

>>

>>Remember that gases expand to fill the available space. 

>>

>>A slight separation effect of atmospheric gases due to reduced

>gravity with 

>>altitude (called the adiabatic lapse rate) is detectable, but

>negligible for 

>>this discussion. This is a typical question on a physics qualifying

>exam.

>>

>>Think about it: If this "heavier than air" concept was valid, we

>would have a 

>>layered atmosphere: radon at the surface, krypton, argon, neon,

>carbon 

>>dioxide higher up, before we would get to oxygen. At least nitrogen

>would be 

>>higher than the oxygen, right?

>>

>>The only time density comes into play for atmospheric gases is when

>air 

>>masses of different temperatures (hence, different densities)

>interact.

>>

>>Physicist Bob

>>





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