CHEM 4.4.3 DRY LAB Radioactivity and Radiation Pre - lab Review Exam Q & A 2024 1. Define radioactivity and explain its significance in chemistry. **Answer**: Radioactivity refers to the spontaneous emission of particles or electromagnetic radiation from the unstable nucleus of an atom. It is significant in chemistry for understanding nuclear reactions, dating archaeological finds, and medical app lications like cancer treatment. 2. Describe the three main types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma) and their properties. **Answer**: Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei and is highly ionizing but has low penetration power. Beta radiation involve s electrons or positrons and has moderate ionizing and penetration abilities. Gamma radiation is high -energy electromagnetic radiation with high penetration power and low ionizing ability. 3. Explain how a Geiger counter works and its use in detecting rad iation. **Answer**: A Geiger counter detects radiation by measuring the ionization produced in a Geiger -Müller tube. It is used to detect and measure different types of radiation intensity. 4. Discuss the concept of half -life and its application in rad iometric dating. **Answer**: Half -life is the time required for half of a radioactive substance to decay. It's used in radiometric dating to determine the age of materials based on the known half -lives of isotopes. 5. Compare and contrast nuclear fissi on and fusion reactions. **Answer**: Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei with the release of energy, while fusion is the combining of light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, also releasing energy. Fission powers nucle ar reactors, while fusion is the process powering stars. 6. Describe how radioisotopes are used in medical diagnostics and treatment. **Answer**: Radioisotopes are used in diagnostics as tracers to image organs and in treatment to target and destroy ca ncerous cells. 7. Explain the concept of ionizing power and its relation to radiation
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