Radiation Safety Practice Exam

What is the Becquerel a measure of?

1. Energy absorbed

2. Radioactive decay events per second

3. Dose equivalent

4. Ionization levels

The correct answer is: Radioactive decay events per second

The Becquerel is a unit of measurement that specifically quantifies the rate of radioactive decay. One Becquerel is defined as one disintegration or decay event per second. This means that if a radioactive substance is said to have a certain activity measured in Becquerels, it indicates how many atoms of that substance decay every second. This unit is particularly important in the field of radiation safety and nuclear science because it provides information about the intensity of radioactivity of a substance, which can be crucial for understanding potential exposure risks. It allows practitioners to assess how much radioactivity is present in a sample, which is essential for managing safety protocols in environments where radioactive materials are handled. The Becquerel does not directly measure energy absorbed, dose equivalent, or ionization levels, which are quantified using different units tailored for those specific aspects of radiation measurement.