Radioactivity-Assignment

A sample of radium-226 will decay to ¼ of its original amount after 3200 years. What is the half-life of radium-226?

1,600 years

The half-life of plutonium-238 is 87.7 years. What percentage of the atoms in a sample of plutonium-238 will remain radioactive after 263.1 years? What percentage of the atoms in the same sample of plutonium-238 will have changed to a stable isotope after 263.1 years?

12.5% 87.5%

When does the radioactive decay of a radioisotope stop? Give one example.

An unstable isotope continues the decay process until it reaches a stable form. One example is the decay of carbon-14 to nitrogen-14.

Read each statement and determine if it describes alpha, beta, or gamma decay. decay occurs when a nucleus emits either an electron or a positron. decay has no charge or mass but is capable of penetrating many substances. decay has a charge of +2. decay results in a new element with the same mass number. decay can be stopped by a piece of paper.

Beta Gamma Alpha Beta Alpha

Lead-202 has a half-life of 53,000 years. How long will it take for 15/16 of a sample of lead-202 to decay?

C. 212,000 years

What is ionizing radiation, and why is it harmful? Give at least one example.

Ionizing radiation is a type of radiation that can break molecules into ions. These ions can disrupt the natural chemical reactions in the body and damage living cells. Examples of ionizing radiation include ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight, X-rays used in medical imaging, and gamma rays produced by radioactive materials.

Describe at least one technological application of radioactive decay that can benefit human health.

Radioisotopes are used in medicine as tracers to detect and diagnose medical problems. Radioisotopes are also used in radiation therapy to treat cancer.

Complete the statement with the correct term. As the size of the nucleus increases, more are needed to maintain the attractive force.

neutrons