Radiation Safety Practice Exam

What is the half-life of Tritium (H-3)?

1. 8 days

2. 12.3 years

3. 458 years

4. 4.5 billion years

The correct answer is: 12.3 years

Tritium, also known as hydrogen-3 (H-3), has a half-life of approximately 12.3 years. This means that after 12.3 years, half of a sample of tritium will have decayed into helium-3, reducing its quantity by 50%. This property makes tritium useful in various applications, such as in self-luminous devices and as a tracer in biological and environmental studies. Understanding the half-life of radioactive isotopes is critical in radiation safety practices, as it dictates how long an isotope remains hazardous and influences storage, disposal, and exposure assessment. The relatively long half-life of tritium compared to some other isotopes makes it essential for managing its use and ensuring safety protocols are in place during experimentation or application.