Question

How many of the following applications use nuclear radiation technology to benefit our lives in a positive manner?

		Irradiation of soft fruits with gamma rays to prolong shelf life.
		Medical X-rays
		Smoke detectors
		Magnetic Resonance Imaging (i.e. MRIs)
		Solar panels
		Carbon-14 dating of ancient artifacts
		Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of brain function
		fire extinguishers

Answer 1

Correct answers are :

Application	Explanation
Irradiation of soft fruits with gamma rays to prolong shelf life.	Gamma rays are nuclear radiations
Medical X rays	X rays have nuclear origin
Smoke detectors	Am-241 isotope is used. It is alpha particle emitter which is of nuclear origin
Carbon-14 dating of ancient artifacts	Carbon - 14 is a beta emitter.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of brain function	PET has positron emitter. Positrons are of nuclear origin.

MRI is based on magnetic moment of nucleus. Hence, it is based on magnetic properties but not on nuclear radiations.

Solar panels are based on light radiations not on nuclear radiations.

Fire extinguishers contain CO₂ which cuts off oxygen to prevent fire.