P5 - Radioactive Materials

Question 1

What are some uses / risks of electromagnetic radiation?

Answer 1

Whilst potentially cancerous, can be used for imaging body / killing cancerous cells.

Question 2

What is the difference between contamination / irradiation, and which particle type penetrates most / least?

Answer 2

Alpha, non-penetrating. Gamma, penetrating. Contamination, directly contacting radioactivity. Irradiation, indirect exposure. Potentially cancerous, but used for imaging body.

Question 3

What is radioactive decay?

Answer 3

Isotope decay, radioactive activity decreases. Half-life, time taken for undecayed amount to half.