Question detail
How does the half-life of a radioactive isotope affect its use in industry?
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. Long half-lives are preferred for quick results.
- B. Short half-lives are ideal for long-term storage.
- C. Isotopes with very short half-lives may be difficult to use.
- D. Half-life has no impact on industrial use.
Answer
The correct answer is C: Isotopes with very short half-lives may be difficult to use..
Explanation
The correct answer is C: Isotopes with very short half-lives may be difficult to use.. This supports the learning objective "Link half-life to how quickly activity decreases." 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: Long half-lives are preferred for quick results.; Short half-lives are ideal for long-term storage.; Half-life has no impact on industrial use..
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Half-Life
Students often confuse half-life with the total time it takes for a radioactive substance to decay completely, rather than understanding it as the time taken for half of the substance to decay.
To fix this, students should focus on the definition of half-life and practice problems that illustrate how after each half-life, only half of the remaining substance decays.
Related flashcards
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Related practice questions
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