ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

Becquerels and curies are units that measure what aspect of radioactive materials?

1. Energy output

2. Decay rate

3. Radiation exposure

4. Mass

The correct answer is: Decay rate

Becquerels (Bq) and curies (Ci) are units that specifically measure the decay rate of radioactive materials. The decay rate refers to the number of radioactive decays that occur in a given amount of material within a specific timeframe. One becquerel is defined as one decay per second, while one curie is based on the radioactivity of one gram of radium-226, which is approximately 37 billion disintegrations per second. Hence, these units are crucial for quantifying how quickly a radioactive substance is emitting radiation, which is pertinent in various applications, including medical treatments and industrial uses. Understanding decay rates helps in assessing the safety and potential hazards associated with radioactive sources.