Question detail
In what scenario would a very short half-life isotope be preferred?
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. For long-term cancer treatment.
- B. For diagnostic imaging where quick decay is beneficial.
- C. For environmental monitoring over years.
- D. For storage in nuclear waste facilities.
Answer
The correct answer is B: For diagnostic imaging where quick decay is beneficial..
Explanation
The correct answer is B: For diagnostic imaging where quick decay is beneficial.. This supports the learning objective "Explain why a very short half-life may make a source difficult to use." 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: For long-term cancer treatment.; For environmental monitoring over years.; For storage in nuclear waste facilities..
Common mistake
Short Half-Life Misunderstanding
Students often think that a very short half-life means the radioactive source is always safe to use because it decays quickly.
Emphasize that a very short half-life can lead to rapid decay, making it difficult to detect and use effectively, as the source may not remain active long enough for the intended application.
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