half-life Flashcards
1
Q
where is radiation given out of?
A
nucleus
2
Q
why can’t you predict radioactive decay?
A
it is entirely random
3
Q
half-life
A
the time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in an isotope to halve
4
Q
1 Bq
A
1 decay per second
5
Q
what does a short half-life mean?
A
the activity falls quickly as the nuclei are very unstable and rapidly decay, these sources can be dangerous due to the high amount of radiation at the start, but they quickly become safe
6
Q
what does a long half-life mean?
A
the activity falls more slowly as most of the nuclei don’t decay for a long time-the source just sits there releasing small amounts of radiation for a long time, can be dangerous as nearby areas are exposed to radiation for many years
