Physics 0625 · IGCSE · Radioactivity

Radioactivity — practice question

Radium-226, $^{226}_{88}\text{Ra}$, is an $\alpha$-emitter. It is placed directly into cancerous tumours. This is safe to use because it destroys the cancerous cells without harming the healthy cells around the tumour. Which properties of $\alpha$-particles, when compared with other emissions, allow radium-226 to be used in this way?

  • Aionising effect of $\alpha$-particles: high; penetration of $\alpha$-particles: high
  • Bionising effect of $\alpha$-particles: high; penetration of $\alpha$-particles: low
  • Cionising effect of $\alpha$-particles: low; penetration of $\alpha$-particles: high
  • Dionising effect of $\alpha$-particles: low; penetration of $\alpha$-particles: low

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