Question
On March 11, 2011, radioactive isotopes were released into the environment during the nuclear accident at the Fukushima nuclear reactor in Japan. One of the isotopes released was cesium-137. The radioactive decay of cesium-137 is shown in the graph. The graph supports which statement about nuclear power?
A. Wastes from all types of energy sources decay, like nuclear radiation.
B. Nuclear radiation can be disposed of anywhere because it naturally decays.
C. It is important for engineers to dispose of nuclear waste quickly so that it can begin to decay.
D. Nuclear radiation can stay in the environment for decades because it can take a long time to decay.
A. Wastes from all types of energy sources decay, like nuclear radiation.
B. Nuclear radiation can be disposed of anywhere because it naturally decays.
C. It is important for engineers to dispose of nuclear waste quickly so that it can begin to decay.
D. Nuclear radiation can stay in the environment for decades because it can take a long time to decay.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The statement that best aligns with the information regarding the radioactive decay of cesium-137 is:
**D. Nuclear radiation can stay in the environment for decades because it can take a long time to decay.**
This statement is supported by the long half-life of cesium-137, which indicates that it remains radioactive and poses potential environmental hazards for an extended period before it fully decays.
**D. Nuclear radiation can stay in the environment for decades because it can take a long time to decay.**
This statement is supported by the long half-life of cesium-137, which indicates that it remains radioactive and poses potential environmental hazards for an extended period before it fully decays.