Question detail
What is a potential hazard of using a radioactive isotope with a very long half-life?
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 may not provide accurate results
- B. It can increase long-term radiation exposure
- C. It is difficult to handle
- D. It decays too quickly
Answer
The correct answer is B: It can increase long-term radiation exposure.
Explanation
The correct answer is B: It can increase long-term radiation exposure. This supports the learning objective "Explain why radioactive isotopes used in medicine or industry must have suitable half-lives." 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 may not provide accurate results; It is difficult to handle; It decays too quickly.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Half-Life Suitability
Students often confuse the concept of half-life with the total duration a radioactive isotope remains active, failing to recognize that a suitable half-life must balance effectiveness and safety in medical or industrial applications.
To fix this, students should focus on understanding that a suitable half-life allows for effective use of the isotope while minimizing exposure risk, ensuring they can explain the importance of both short and long half-lives in different contexts.
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