Activity

Key Stage 5

Meaning

In radioactivity, activity is the number of disintegrations per second of a radioactive isotope.

About Activity

• Measured in becquerels (Bq), where 1 Bq equals one disintegration per second.
• Indicates the rate at which a sample of radioactive material decays.
• Higher activity means more frequent emissions of radiation.

Examples

• Medical tracers have high activity to ensure they emit detectable radiation within a short time.
• Radon detectors measure the activity of radon gas in homes to assess safety.