Radiation Safety Practice Exam

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Study for the Radiation Safety Exam. Test your knowledge with multiple choice questions, each equipped with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively and confidently!

Practice this question and more.

Which of the following best describes tritium?

It is a non-radioactive metal
It is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen
It is a stable gas
It is found in liquid form only

The correct answer is: It is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen

Tritium is accurately defined as a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. This means that it is one of the three isotopes of hydrogen, which are distinguished by the number of neutrons in the nucleus. Tritium contains one proton and two neutrons, making it unstable and radioactive. It undergoes beta decay, emitting beta particles as it transforms into helium-3 over time. This characteristic of being radioactive is crucial in various applications, including as a tracer in biological and environmental studies and in self-luminous devices, such as watch dials and exit signs. The radioactive nature of tritium is also significant in the context of radiation safety, as it requires appropriate handling and disposal to minimize exposure to radiation. In contrast to the other options, tritium is not a non-radioactive metal, a stable gas, nor is it exclusively found in liquid form. These attributes do not align with the known properties of tritium, reaffirming that it is fundamentally a radioactive form of hydrogen.