Radioactivity Basics
What is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses its energy by emitting radiation?
What is radioactivity?
Which type of radiation is heavy, slow, and can be stopped by a simple sheet of paper or skin?
What is alpha radiation?
Name one natural source of radiation that we are constantly exposed to.
What are cosmic rays, rocks/soil, radon gas, or food/water? (Any one is acceptable)
What is the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay?
What is half-life?
Who is Marie Curie?
Which type of radiation is pure energy, has no mass, and is very penetrating, requiring thick lead or concrete to stop?
What are gamma (γ) rays?
What medical imaging technique uses radiation to see broken bones?
What are X-rays?
What is the scientific method used to determine the age of rocks, fossils, or other ancient artifacts?
What is radioactive dating?
What is the specific term for an unstable isotope of a chemical element that undergoes radioactive decay?
What is a radioisotope?
Which type of radiation is lighter, faster, and can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminum foil or clothing?
What is beta (β) radiation?
What is one potential danger of high levels of radiation exposure to living cells?
What is cell damage, DNA damage, increased cancer risk, or radiation sickness? (Any one is acceptable)
During radioactive decay, the original radioactive atoms are called "parent isotopes." What happens to their quantity over time?
What is they decrease (or decay)?
What does an unstable atom do to its nucleus to become more stable?
What is emit radiation(or particles/energy)>
If alpha radiation is like a bowling ball, which type of radiation is like a golf ball?
What is beta (β) radiation?
Name one safety measure used to protect against radiation exposure.
What are shielding, increasing distance, or limiting time of exposure? (Any one is acceptable)
Which specific radioisotope is commonly used to date once-living things like ancient wood, bones, or cloth?
What is Carbon-14?
Who accidentally discovered radioactivity when he noticed uranium exposed photographic plates?
Who is Henri Becquerel?
Which type of radiation is represented by the symbol γ?
What are gamma rays?
What common household safety device uses a tiny amount of a radioisotope to detect smoke?
What is a smoke detector?
What is the approximate half-life of Carbon-14, making it useful for dating objects up to about 50,000 years old?
What is ~5,730 years?