Radioactive waste is often mixed with concrete (cementation) before being stored in steel containers.
Why is this solidification process used?
It decreases the half-life of the radioactive waste.
It immobilizes the waste in a solid block, preventing it from leaking or dispersing into the environment.
It reduces the rate of radioactive decay.
The concrete chemically neutralizes the radioactivity of the isotopes.
484 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.2 Radioactivity, covering 5.2.1 Background radiation and measuring count rate, 5.2.2a Alpha, beta and gamma emission, 5.2.2b Deflection and ionising effects of nuclear radiation, 5.2.3a Radioactive decay, 5.2.3b Effects of decay on the nucleus and decay equations, 5.2.4a Half-life, 5.2.4b Choosing isotopes for applications, and 5.2.5 Effects of ionising radiation and safety precautions. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.