Radioisotope questions

Perfect — your teacher said:

So the test questions will likely be a mix of definitions, applications, and concept checks about the 4 isotopes (C-14, Cu-67, Ra-226, Cs-137) and the radiation types/decay terms.

Here’s a full list of practice questions — divided by definitions, understanding, and applications, just like a real test would include 👇

🧠 A. Key Term / Definition Questions

1. What is beta decay, and what is emitted during this process?

2. What are beta particles, and how much can they penetrate?

3. What is alpha radiation, and what does it release?

4. What are alpha particles made of, and how do they compare in penetration to beta particles?

5. What are gamma rays, and what makes them different from alpha and beta radiation?

6. Which types of radiation are particles, and which are waves?

7. Which radiation type has the highest energy and deepest penetration?

8. Which radiation type can be stopped by paper, skin, or lead respectively?

🧩 B. Carbon-14 (C-14)

1. What is Carbon-14 used for?

2. Describe how radiocarbon dating works.

3. Why does the amount of Carbon-14 in an organism decrease after death?

4. Into what element does Carbon-14 decay, and by which process?

5. What is the maximum age range that Carbon-14 dating can accurately measure?

6. Why is Carbon-14 important to scientists and historians?

7. What type of radiation or decay does Carbon-14 produce?

⚕ C. Copper-67 (Cu-67)

1. What is Copper-67 mainly used for in medicine?

2. How does Copper-67 target and destroy cancer cells?

3. Why is Copper-67 safe for healthy tissue during treatment?

4. What kind of particle does Copper-67 emit?

5. What is the lifespan/half-life of Copper-67, and why is this helpful in medicine?

6. What is another copper isotope used in medicine, and how is it used differently?

☢ D. Radium-226 (Ra-226)

1. Is Radium-226 naturally occurring or artificially made?

2. What types of radiation does Radium-226 emit as it decays?

3. What element and gas does it decay into over time?

4. Why is Radium-226 dangerous when ingested?

5. What were two past and current uses of Radium-226?

6. What happens when Radium-226 is mixed with zinc sulphide?

7. Explain why the radiation from Radium-226 can be both beneficial and harmful.

8. What is the approximate half-life of Radium-226?

⚛ E. Cesium-137 (Cs-137)

1. What is Cesium-137 used for in cancer treatment?

2. What types of radiation does it emit?

3. How does Cesium-137 kill cancer cells?

4. Besides medicine, what industrial uses does Cesium-137 have?

5. How does its radiation increase the survival rate of cancer patients?

💬 F. Comparison & Application Questions

1. Which isotopes release beta particles?

2. Which isotope releases alpha particles?

3. Which isotopes release gamma rays?

4. Which isotopes are used in medical imaging or therapy?

5. Which isotope is used to determine the age of once-living materials?

6. Which isotopes are natural vs. artificially produced?

7. Which isotope has the longest half-life, and which has the shortest?

8. Explain why Carbon-14 is safe for use in dating, while Radium-226 is dangerous to handle.

9. Compare the type of decay and use for C-14, Cu-67, Ra-226, and Cs-137.

10. If a material emits beta radiation, which safety precautions should be taken?

Would you like me to make these into Quizlet-style flashcards (front: question, back: answer) so you can review them quickly tonight and tomorrow?

Perfect 👍 — here’s the answer sheet for all the isotope and radiation questions I gave you earlier.
It’s written in concise, test-ready form, so you can use it to study or check your answers quickly.

🧾 Radioisotopes & Radiation – Answer Sheet

🧠 A. Key Term / Definition Answers

1. Beta decay:
   A type of radioactive decay where a nucleus emits beta particles (high-energy electrons) to become more stable.

2. Beta particles:
   High-energy electrons released from a decaying nucleus. They penetrate more than alpha particles but can be stopped by skin or plastic.

3. Alpha radiation:
   The emission of alpha particles from an unstable nucleus.

4. Alpha particles:
   Made of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (same as a helium nucleus). They have low penetration and can be stopped by paper or skin.

5. Gamma rays:
   High-energy electromagnetic radiation with deep penetration; can pass through tissue and is only stopped by lead or thick concrete.

6. Particles vs. Waves:

   • Alpha and beta = particles.

   • Gamma rays = waves.

7. Most energetic radiation:
   Gamma rays have the highest energy and deepest penetration.

8. Penetration summary:

   • Alpha → stopped by paper/skin.

   • Beta → stopped by plastic/skin.

   • Gamma → needs lead or concrete.

🧩 B. Carbon-14 (C-14)

1. Main use:
   To determine the age of once-living materials (radiocarbon dating).

2. How dating works:
   Scientists measure how much C-14 remains and compare it to the original amount to estimate how long ago the organism died.

3. Why C-14 decreases after death:
   Living things constantly take in carbon; once dead, intake stops and C-14 decays over time.

4. Decay process:
   C-14 → N-14 through beta decay.

5. Maximum dating range:
   Accurate up to about 50,000 years.

6. Scientific importance:
   Provides accurate timelines of history, environmental changes, and climate patterns.

7. Radiation type:
   Beta decay → emits beta particles.

⚕ C. Copper-67 (Cu-67)

1. Main use:
   Used in nuclear medicine for targeted radiotherapy to treat cancer.

2. How it targets cancer:
   Attaches to molecules that seek out cancer cells and delivers radiation directly to them.

3. Why it spares healthy tissue:
   Its beta particles travel only short distances in tissue.

4. Particle emitted:
   Beta particles.

5. Half-life:
   About 61–62 hours, which limits long-term radiation exposure.

6. Other isotopes:
   Cu-64 → used for medical imaging, not treatment.

☢ D. Radium-226 (Ra-226)

1. Origin:
   Naturally occurring isotope of radium.

2. Radiation types:
   Emits alpha particles and gamma rays.

3. Decay chain:
   Ra-226 → radon gas → eventually lead.

4. Danger when ingested:
   Absorbed by intestines, stored in bones → can cause internal radiation damage.

5. Past/current uses:

   • Used in targeted cancer therapy.

   • Formerly used in luminous paint for watch dials (discontinued).

6. Radium paint glow:
   When mixed with zinc sulfide, creates glowing paint.

7. Beneficial or harmful:

   • Beneficial: targeted cancer therapy.

   • Harmful: radiation exposure damages living tissue.

8. Half-life:
   Around 1600 years.

⚛ E. Cesium-137 (Cs-137)

1. Main use:
   Used in radiation therapy devices to treat cancer.

2. Radiation types:
   Emits beta particles and gamma rays.

3. How it treats cancer:
   Implanted into tumors — radiation damages and kills cancer cells.

4. Industrial uses:
   Used in industrial gauges to measure liquid flow and material thickness.

5. Effectiveness:
   Improves cancer survival rates by destroying tumor cells.

💬 F. Comparison & Application Answers

1. Isotopes releasing beta particles:
   Carbon-14, Copper-67, Cesium-137.

2. Isotope releasing alpha particles:
   Radium-226.

3. Isotopes releasing gamma rays:
   Radium-226, Cesium-137.

4. Medical imaging or therapy isotopes:

   • Cu-67 → targeted radiotherapy.

   • Cu-64 → imaging.

   • Cs-137 → radiation therapy.

   • Ra-226 → older cancer treatments.

5. Used for dating living materials:
   Carbon-14.

6. Natural vs. artificial:

   • Natural: Carbon-14, Radium-226.

   • Artificial: Copper-67, Cesium-137.

7. Half-life comparison:

   • Longest → Radium-226 (1600 years).

   • Shortest → Copper-67 (~61 hours).

8. Why C-14 is safe, Ra-226 dangerous:
   C-14 emits weak beta radiation used in tiny amounts; Ra-226 emits strong alpha and gamma radiation that can cause internal damage.

9. Decay types & uses summary:

10. Safety for beta radiation:
    Wear protective clothing, use shielding (plastic, glass), and avoid direct contact or ingestion.

✅ Study Tip:
Focus your memory on:

• Decay type (alpha, beta, gamma)

• Main use (dating, therapy, imaging, industrial)

• Half-life and radiation safety

Would you like me to turn this into a printable 2-page cheat sheet or a Quizlet-style Q&A deck for fast review tonight?