Why is ionising radiation dangerous?
It can damage, kill or mutate cells causing cancer.
What is the activity of a radioactive source?
The amount of radiation given off each second.
What is the definition for half life?
the time taken for the activity of a radioactive source to reduce by half.
Do you want the half life of a radioactive tracer used for a PET scan to be long or short?
short
Do you want the half life of a radioactive source in a smoke alarm to be long or short?
long
What is the unwanted presence of radioactive material called?
contamination
When an object is exposed to ionising radiation, it has been...
Irradiated
What is the charge on an alpha particle?
+2
What is the charge on a beta particle?
-1
Is the dome built over the destroyed reactor 4 in Chernobyl to prevent contamination or irradiation?
Contamination
What are the disadvantages of sending radioactive waste (from nuclear power stations) into space?
Expensive, sometimes the launch goes wrong - rockets can explode
What is a radioactive source injected into the body for a PET scan called?
A tracer
