Highly radioactive waste is sometimes mixed with molten glass, which then cools and solidifies inside thick metal containers (a process known as vitrification) before being stored deep underground.
Why is the waste processed in this way?
It decreases the decay rate of the radioactive isotopes.
It reduces the half-life of the radioactive waste.
It immobilizes the radioactive materials in a stable solid structure to prevent them from leaking into groundwater.
It permits the heat generated by radioactive decay to be completely eliminated.
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.