Q1.Food irradiation is a process that exposes food to radiation. Irradiation can be used to kill the bacteria that cause food poisoning or to slow down the ripening of fresh fruit and
vegetables. Frozen foods and food inside packaging can also be irradiated.
(a) The table gives information about five radioactive isotopes.

Isotope Half-life Radiation emitted
Caesium-134 2.1 years beta
Cobalt-60 5.3 years gamma
Curium-242 160 days alpha
Strontium-90 28 years beta
Technetium-
99

6 hours gamma

Which of these radioactive isotopes would be most suitable for irradiating
food?

Explain the reasons for your choice.