Question detail
Why might a radioactive isotope with a very short half-life be difficult to use?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation
Question
- A. It decays too slowly.
- B. It requires complex storage.
- C. It is not detectable.
- D. It decays too quickly to be effective.
Answer
The correct answer is D: It decays too quickly to be effective..
Explanation
The correct answer is D: It decays too quickly to be effective.. This supports the learning objective "Compare isotope suitability using half-life and radiation type data." in Different half-lives of radioactive isotopes because it uses the correct atomic and nuclear radiation relationship for Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation. The other options are less suitable because they do not match the required Different half-lives of radioactive isotopes idea: It decays too slowly.; It requires complex storage.; It is not detectable..
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Half-Life Implications
Students often confuse the concept of half-life with the total time a radioactive isotope remains active, not realizing that half-life refers to the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.
Emphasize that half-life is a specific measure of decay rate and does not indicate the complete duration of radioactivity. Use examples to illustrate how different isotopes have varying half-lives and how this affects their applications.
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