Question 1: Define 'half-life' in the context of radioactive decay.

Answer: Half-life is the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.

Question 2: Explain how the half-life of a radioactive substance affects its use in automotive industry applications.

Answer: The half-life determines how long a radioactive material remains effective or safe for use or disposal in automotive applications, influencing safety protocols and maintenance schedules.

Question 3: Describe the mechanism behind radioactive decay that leads to a constant half-life.

Answer: Radioactive decay is a random process at the level of individual nuclei but occurs at a predictable average rate for large numbers, resulting in a constant half-life for a given isotope.

Question 1: A certain radioactive isotope used in automotive sensors has a half-life of 6 hours. How much of a 200 g sample remains after 18 hours?

Answer: 25 g

Question 2: If a sample of a radioactive substance has an initial mass of 500 g and its half-life is 12 hours, how long will it take for only 62.5 g remaining?

Answer: 36 hours

Question 1: Describe a basic experimental setup to measure the half-life of a radioactive isotope used in automotive diagnostics. Include safety precautions.

Answer: A suitable setup involves a container with a known amount of the isotope, a Geiger counter to measure radiation levels at regular intervals, and shielding to protect users from exposure. Safety precautions include wearing protective clothing, using remote handling tools, and working in a designated radioactive area.

Question 1: A car manufacturer uses a radioactive source with a half-life of 3 years in its automatic oil quality sensor. If the initial activity of the source is 1000 Bq, what will be its activity after 9 years?

Answer: 125 Bq

Question 2: Why is understanding the half-life of radioactive sources important for automotive industry safety and maintenance?

Answer: Knowing the half-life helps determine when a radioactive source should be replaced or shielded to ensure safety and optimal functioning of automotive sensors.

Question 1: Discuss how the concept of half-life is applied in the safe disposal of radioactive materials used in automotive sensors. Include considerations for environmental safety and industry regulations.

Answer: The concept of half-life informs the period after which radioactive materials are considered safe for disposal or require special handling. In automotive sensors, materials are designed with known half-lives to ensure they decay to safe levels within a manageable timeframe. Proper disposal involves containment, storage until decay reduces activity to safe levels, and adherence to environmental regulations to prevent contamination. Understanding half-life helps industries plan for safe waste management, protect workers, and comply with legal standards.