Question

Classify the following uses of radiation as helpful, harmful, or both.

americium (smoke detectors)
nuclear medicine
X-rays
hydrogen bomb
nuclear reactors
radon
cosmic rays
Helpful
Harmful

Answer 1

Radiation uses like smoke detectors, nuclear medicine, and X-rays are helpful, while hydrogen bombs, nuclear reactor accidents, radon, and cosmic rays can be harmful.

Step-by-step explanation:

Uses of radiation can be classified as either helpful, harmful, or both, depending on their applications and effects.

1. Americium in smoke detectors is helpful as it ionizes the air, creating a small electric current to detect smoke and trigger an alarm.
2. Nuclear medicine and X-rays are primarily helpful as they are used for diagnosing and treating diseases, but can be harmful if misused or overexposed.
3. The hydrogen bomb represents a harmful use of radiation, as it causes widespread destruction and radiation exposure.
4. Nuclear reactors provide a clean source of energy but can be harmful in the event of malfunctions or accidents like the Chernobyl disaster.
5. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that is harmful when accumulated in homes because it can lead to lung cancer.
6. Cosmic rays are a natural source of radiation that can be harmful to humans, particularly to astronauts, but are also a part of the natural environment.

Ionizing radiation can damage biological molecules and disrupt physiological processes, which is why radiation must be carefully used and monitored.