Talk:Potassium-40
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Unusual experiment
[edit]Method of sustained energy release from naturally occuring radioactive materials by electromagnetic means
Essentially back in 2011 I theorised that it was possible to generate conditions that would cause a long lived radioactive isotope to decay along a predetermined channel in a shorter time than observation in nature would suggest, but not be inconsistent with thermodynamics. More recently I tested the experiment using off the shelf components and it appears that my reasoning was correct. The energy release was not considerable but on par with Becquerel's early experiments and showed some interesting results on the SBM20 under moderate overvoltage (445V) with a Zobel network to limit oscillation. I had to concentrate the material using a combination of plane polarized light and selective crystallization in an electric field but this turned out to be simple and itself patentable as it has applications for HTSC production (specifically making isotopically pure Ba and Cu for 2223 BSCCO) It appears that in order for this to work technology would need to be invented from scratch, but its not as hard as it looks. Incidentally was not aware at the time of tuneable X-ray generators used for antistatic mitigation.
I am now testing it with a larger setup, using a tube amateurs have also utilized for its unusual effects along with a piece of technology invented by Nakamura and other external components such as a new type of semi resonant HV multiplier of my own innovation based on a modified passive crossover (see EPE article) Intriguingly none of the parts are restricted in any way at present. The secret is to use a reflex method that tunes the high voltage and current looking for a spike so energy production is exponentially increased.
Works with 40K as well as others, in fact I tentatively observed a possible effect in radium as well!! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.81.156.165 (talk) 08:05, 9 September 2020 (UTC)
Natural nucleosynthesis of K-40
[edit]What is the ultimate source of naturally occurring potassium-40? Supernova explosions or something else? 69.161.125.36 (talk) 21:23, 23 January 2023 (UTC)
- Potassium-40 may be produced in dying massive stars in a similar manner to the neighboring stable isotopes. The predominant mechanism is the oxygen burning process in Type II supernovae, though some potassium (all isotopes) are also produced via neon burning and the s-process (slow neutron capture). The article supernova nucleosynthesis explains this in greater detail. Complex/Rational 21:52, 23 January 2023 (UTC)
The Gamma-Ray Note
[edit]"...with the emission of a neutrino and then a 1.460 MeV gamma ray." The "gamma ray" has a note attached, telling us that this would be an X-ray if emitted by an electron. What is the purpose of this note? 1.46 MeV is a natural gamma-ray energy, and appears to be an order of magnitude greater than the general maximum X-ray energy. Johnm307 (talk) 09:16, 6 November 2023 (UTC)