Hazards & Uses of Radioactive Emissions & of Background Radiation (OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science Suite)): Flashcards
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What is half-life?
What is half-life?
Time taken for half the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay
Is half-life the same for all isotopes?
Is half-life the same for all isotopes?
No, unique to each isotope
Possible range of half-life values
Possible range of half-life values
Fractions of a second to millions of years
Radioactivity trend over time
Radioactivity trend over time
All isotopes gradually decrease in radioactivity
Role of half-life in risk assessment
Role of half-life in risk assessment
Crucial in determining potential risk of isotope
Long half-life isotopes characteristic
Long half-life isotopes characteristic
Remain radioactive for extended periods
Type of risk from long half-life isotopes
Type of risk from long half-life isotopes
Prolonged risk over extended time
Short half-life isotopes decay rate
Short half-life isotopes decay rate
Decay quickly, reducing radioactivity in shorter time
Initial radiation from short half-life isotopes
Initial radiation from short half-life isotopes
May emit intense radiation initially
Risk pattern for short half-life isotopes
Risk pattern for short half-life isotopes
Diminishes rapidly as they decay