Radioactivity and Half-Life Explained Through Real-Life Examples

Pauline, a Belgian nuclear medicine resident, explains radioactivity, radioactive decay, and half-life. She discusses nuclear stability, providing examples of stable and unstable nuclei. The video covers radioactive decay as a spontaneous process and introduces the concept of half-life, using Iodine-131 as an example. The video also explains carbon dating, a method used by archaeologists to date organic objects. The video concludes with a summary of the key points discussed.

What is the main focus of the video presented by Pauline?

• The history of nuclear medicine

• The process of nuclear fusion

• Radioactivity, radioactive decay, and half-life

• The structure of the periodic table

What determines whether a nucleus is stable or unstable?

• The chemical properties

• The number of electrons

• The balance of protons and neutrons

• The atomic mass

Which element is given as an example of a stable element with equal protons and neutrons?

• Oxygen

• Carbon-12

• Uranium

• Helium

What is radioactive decay?

• A method to increase atomic mass

• A chemical reaction involving radioactive elements

• A spontaneous process where unstable nuclei emit radiation

• A process where atoms gain electrons

How is the half-life of a radioactive material defined?

• The time it takes for a material to become completely stable

• The time it takes for half of the radioactive nuclei to decay

• The time it takes for a material to emit all its radiation

• The time it takes for a material to double its radioactivity

What is the half-life of Iodine-131?

• 12 days

• 4 days

• 16 days

• 8 days

After two half-lives, how much of the original iodine sample remains radioactive?

• None

• One-half

• One-fourth

• One-eighth

What happens to carbon-14 during beta decay?

• It becomes oxygen-14

• It becomes hydrogen-14

• It becomes carbon-12

• It becomes nitrogen-14

How do archaeologists use half-life in their work?

• To identify the chemical composition of rocks

• To calculate the speed of ancient animals

• To determine the age of organic objects

• To measure the weight of ancient artifacts

What is the predictable rate at which radioactive decay occurs called?

• Decay factor

• Radioactive rate

• Half-life

• Decay constant