Question detail
What is radioactive contamination?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Question
- A. The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on or inside an object or person
- B. The exposure to ionising radiation from a radioactive source
- C. The process of an unstable nucleus emitting radiation
- D. The decay of radioactive nuclei over time
Answer
The correct answer is A: The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on or inside an object or person.
Explanation
The correct answer is A: The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on or inside an object or person. This supports the learning objective "Distinguish contamination from irradiation." in Radioactive contamination because it uses the correct atomic and nuclear radiation relationship for Atoms and nuclear radiation. The other options are less suitable because they do not match the required Radioactive contamination idea: The exposure to ionising radiation from a radioactive source; The process of an unstable nucleus emitting radiation; The decay of radioactive nuclei over time.
Common mistake
Contamination vs Irradiation Confusion
Students often confuse radioactive contamination with irradiation, thinking that both terms mean the same thing.
To fix this, remember that contamination refers to the unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on or inside an object or person, while irradiation is simply exposure to ionising radiation from a radioactive source.
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