1 Which radioactive decay particle poses the greatest risk i

1- Which radioactive decay particle poses the greatest risk if it is external to the body? Why?

2- Which is safer, an isotope with a short half-life or one with a long half-life?

3-How does a fission reaction differ from a fusion reaction? Which is more desirable for generating electricity and why?

4-Describe two military uses of radioisotopes.

Solution

1) The radioactive particle whose radiation can pass through the body tissues and bones has higher chances of getting contaminated with the blood, which results in various neural disorders because of exposure to radiation.

2) A radioactive isotope with lesser half life has a greater rate constant, which means emission of the radiations are faster and hence is much more harmful. Hence the isotope with short half life is more injurious to health

3) Fission reaction is the disassosciation of one large unstable molecule into some stable molecule and emission of radioactive particles. Fusion reaction is the combination of two unstable nucleus to form a larger much stable nucleus at high temperatures. Fission reaction is more desirable for generating electricity because fission reaction can be controlled easily and once started it carries on in a chain reaction.

4) Atomic Bombs , Hydrogen Bombs.