P7- activity and half-life Flashcards
1
Q
What is activity?
A
the rate at which a radioactive sample decays
2
Q
As a sample decays, what happens to its activity?
A
its activity decreases.
3
Q
What is half-life?
A
the time taken for half of the radioactive element to decay (count rate to half)
4
Q
Why is radioactive decay considered harmful?
A
releases energy this can cause cells to mutate/die
