Radon facts for kids

An electron shell diagram for radon. Note the eight electrons in the outer shell.

Radon is element 86 on the periodic table. Its symbol is Rn.

Radon is a gas and is part of the group known as the noble gases. It does not react with other elements, so it is found pure.

Radon is radioactive, meaning that it can give off harmful rays. Some people have high levels of radon in their houses, and this can be very dangerous. A lot of radon can get stuck in the basement of old houses, and so people end up breathing it in. It gets stuck in the lungs and has been known to cause cancer. There are groups that try to make sure there is no dangerous radon in houses.

Related pages

• List of common elements
• Periodic table

Images for kids

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  Emission spectrum of radon, photographed by Ernest Rutherford in 1908. Numbers at the side of the spectrum are wavelengths. The middle spectrum is of Radium emanation (radon), while the outer two are of helium (added to calibrate the wavelengths).

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  Apparatus used by Ramsay and Whytlaw-Gray to isolate radon. M is a capillary tube, where approximately 0.1 mm3 were isolated. Radon mixed with hydrogen entered the evacuated system through siphon A; mercury is shown in black.

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  210Pb is formed from the decay of 222Rn. Here is a typical deposition rate of 210Pb as observed in Japan as a function of time, due to variations in radon concentration.

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  Radon concentration next to a uranium mine

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  Typical log-normal radon distribution in dwellings

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  Predicted fraction of U.S. homes having concentrations of radon exceeding the EPA's recommended action level of 4 pCi/L

See also

In Spanish: Radón para niños