Hazards and Uses of Radioactivity Quiz
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5 questions, one answer each
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1. Which type of radiation is the most ionising and the least penetrating?
- A. Alpha radiation
- B. Beta radiation
- C. Gamma radiation
- D. All types ionise equally
2. What is the main difference between irradiation and contamination?
- A. Irradiation involves radioactive material touching the skin; contamination does not
- B. Irradiation is exposure to radiation; contamination is when radioactive material is on or in the body
- C. They are the same thing with different names
- D. Contamination is more dangerous than irradiation
3. Why is Cobalt-60 suitable for treating cancer but Technetium-99m is better for medical imaging as a tracer?
- A. Cobalt-60 has a longer half-life and emits gamma rays suitable for destroying cells; Technetium-99m has a short half-life and emits gamma rays that can be detected without harming tissue
- B. Cobalt-60 is cheaper to produce than Technetium-99m
- C. Technetium-99m emits alpha particles which are better for imaging
- D. Cobalt-60 stays in the body longer, ensuring complete treatment
4. A worker handles a radioactive source containing alpha particles. Which safety measures are most important in this situation?
- A. Wearing thick lead aprons and maintaining distance from the source
- B. Using tongs or forceps to handle it, keeping it at arm's length, and ensuring it is not inhaled or ingested
- C. Working behind lead screens and using a Geiger counter continuously
- D. Wearing latex gloves, which completely block alpha particles
5. Americium-241 is used in smoke detectors. Explain why this isotope is particularly suitable for this application, considering both its emission type and half-life.
- A. It emits beta particles with a very long half-life, providing continuous ionisation of air for decades without frequent replacement
- B. It emits alpha particles with a half-life of 432 years, providing reliable long-term ionisation whilst being safely contained, and the alpha particles ionise air to detect smoke without being a significant external hazard
- C. It emits gamma rays which easily penetrate the smoke detector casing
- D. It has a very short half-life so it needs frequent replacement, keeping the device up-to-date