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What does a curie measure?

  1. A level of acidity in substances

  2. A measurement of body temperature

  3. A measurement of radioactivity

  4. The intensity of sound waves

The correct answer is: A measurement of radioactivity

A curie measures the level of radioactivity in a substance. It is specifically defined as the quantity of radioactive material that undergoes a decay rate of 3.7 × 10^10 disintegrations per second. This unit was named after Pierre and Marie Curie, who conducted pioneering research in radioactivity. Understanding this measurement is crucial in fields such as nuclear medicine, radiology, and radiation safety, where it is essential to quantify the amount of radioactivity a material emits and its potential impact on health and safety. The other choices pertain to completely different areas: acidity, body temperature, and sound wave intensity, none of which are related to the measurement of radioactivity.