Explain how the type of radiation emitted and the half-life of an isotope determine which isotope is used for applications including: (a) household fire (smoke) alarms (b) irradiating food to kill bacteria (c) sterilisation of equipment using gamma rays (d) measuring and controlling thicknesses of materials with the choice of radiations used linked to penetration and absorption (e) diagnosis and treatment of cancer using gamma rays

Identify alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) emissions from the nucleus by recalling: (a) their nature (b) their relative ionising effects (c) their relative penetrating abilities (β⁺ are not included, β-particles will be taken to refer to β⁻)