Question

Question 50 2 pts A news report regarding radioactivity in a major city is causing a major panic. The news report describes how a factory has been using radioactive cobalt-60 salts in enclosed steel containers and how the factory is exposing the public to dangerous radiation. The cobalt decays with the following nuclear reaction: 60 29C0 -le + Ni + 2 x Is the report accurate in claiming that the public is being exposed to dangerous radiation? Yes, beta decay can penetrate through the steel containers and expose the public. Yes, gamma decay will be released during the reaction and it is always dangerous. No,alpha decay is not dangerous under any circumstances regardless of where it is. O No, gamma decay is easily be blocked by steel containers. The radiation is contained.

Answer 1

Answer :

Correct option is second option.

Yes, Gamma decay will be released during the reaction and is always dangerous.

From the radioactive reaction, Co-60 produces emits beta particle(electron) , Ni-60 and gamma ray.

Penetrating power of gamma ray > beta particle > alpha particles.

Since alpha particle is not released in thus reaction, so third option given is incorrect.

Beta particle has much more penetrating power than alpha particle but being a charge particle beta particles can easily be blocked by steel containers (either by supplying positive charge to the end of steel containers) . So, beta particles can be blocked .( This makes first option incorrect) .

Gamma ray is produced in this reaction and these rays doesn't contain any charge that's why it's penetrating power is much more greater than beta particle and can not be blocked by steel containers. (Option 4th is incorrect) .

Gamma rays are very high energy rays and is always dangerous. It can heat up the skin /body immediately and causes skin burns etc. (Second option is absolutely correct).