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Chapter 16: Problem 96

Of the types of radioactive decay studied in this chapter, which is least likely to damage you upon external exposure? Which is most likely? Explain fully.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Alpha decay is least likely to cause damage upon external exposure as it cannot penetrate human skin. Gamma decay is most likely to cause damage upon external exposure due to its high penetration capability, allowing it to pass through the human body and damage tissues and organs.

Step by step solution

01

Alpha Decay

Alpha decay occurs when a nucleus emits an alpha particle (consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons). Alpha particles are heavy and positively charged, causing them to interact strongly with matter. Due to their large size and strong interaction, they cannot penetrate human skin and are easily stopped by a sheet of paper or clothing. Therefore, alpha radiation is not dangerous if it is external to the human body.
02

Beta Decay

Beta decay occurs when a nucleus emits a beta particle (an electron or a positron). Beta particles are lighter than alpha particles and have only a unit charge, causing them to have a longer range in matter. However, they can still be stopped by a thin sheet of plastic, glass, or aluminum. While beta radiation can penetrate the skin, it is more likely to cause superficial damage and is less dangerous than other forms of radiation upon external exposure.
03

Gamma Decay

Gamma decay occurs when a nucleus emits a gamma photon, which is a high-energy electromagnetic radiation. Gamma radiation has no charge and essentially no mass, causing it to have the longest range in matter and being capable of penetrating through thick materials, like lead and concrete. Gamma radiation can penetrate the human body and cause significant damage to tissues and organs because it is highly penetrating. Based on these analysis:
04

Least Likely to Cause Damage upon External Exposure:

Alpha decay is least likely to cause damage upon external exposure due to its large size and strong interaction with matter, making it unable to penetrate human skin.
05

Most Likely to Cause Damage upon External Exposure:

Gamma decay is most likely to cause damage upon external exposure because it is highly penetrating, capable of passing through the human body and causing significant damage to tissues and organs.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The tungsten isotope \({ }_{74}^{162} \mathrm{~W}\) is radioactive and decays by converting a proton to a neutron. (a) Where is this atom likely to lie in the band of stability? (b) Write two nuclear reactions that describe this decay process. (c) Which type of decay is represented by each reaction you wrote in part (b)?

Which isotope in each pair is more likely to decay by electron capture? (a) \({ }^{13} \mathrm{~B}\) or \({ }^{8} \mathrm{~B}\) (b) \({ }^{209} \mathrm{Bi}\) or \({ }^{194} \mathrm{Bi}\)

What happens when an atom's nucleus undergoes: (a) positron emission. (b) electron capture. (c) gamma emission.

Radioactivity is often called ionizing radiation. Why?

Explain the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
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