When Food Is Irradiated with Gamma Rays from a Cobalt-60

question 110

Multiple Choice

When food is irradiated with gamma rays from a cobalt-60 source,does the food become radioactive? Why?

• A)Yes.This is why irradiation with cobalt-60 is no longer approved by the FDA.
• B)Yes.However,the radioactivity resulting is well below the danger level established by the FDA.
• C)No.The gamma rays do not have sufficient energy to initiate the nuclear reaction in the atoms of the food.
• D)Yes and No.Although the gamma rays initiate the nuclear reaction the radioactivity does not show up until the food is ingested.

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Definitions:

Mechanism

The detailed step-by-step description of how a chemical reaction occurs, including the breaking and formation of bonds.

Reaction

A process in which one or more substances (the reactants) are converted to one or more different substances (the products).

Terpene

A class of natural organic compounds, typically derived from plants, with a structure based on isoprene units.

Monocyclic

Pertains to chemical compounds that contain only one cyclic structure within their molecular framework.