Final answer:
A 70 kg radioactive sample with a 30-year half-life is highly-dangerous, especially with 6 megacuries of activity, as seen in the Chernobyl disaster.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sample of highly-radioactive material can be dangerous due to its capacity to emit harmful radiation, typically characterized by its half-life, which indicates how quickly the material decays.
In the context provided, a 70 kg sample with a 30-year half-life and activity measured in megacuries (MCi) signifies considerable radioactivity, posing serious health risks such as inducing cancer or causing birth defects.
The severe consequences of radioactive exposure were highlighted in nuclear disasters like Chernobyl, which underscore the importance of safety in reactor design.
Modern reactors have improved in safety, but awareness and caution are paramount when handling or coming into proximity with radioactive substances, particularly those with shorter half-lives and higher activity levels.
Radiation, while hazardous, does have controlled applications, notably in medicine, illustrating the dual nature of radioactive isotopes.
They can be harmful in uncontrolled environments but beneficial when used with meticulous regulation.Safety in reactor design has improved to minimize such risks, but caution is always essential.
Controlled radioactive isotopes can have beneficial applications in fields like medicine.