What happens when a metal is exposed to radiation?

Answer 1

Yes, if the "radioactive waves" are particulate radiation. Electromagnetic radiation (X-rays or gamma rays) are ionizing radiation, but they will not make something radioactive. Particulate radiation can do that; it can activate a substance. The nature of the resulting radioactive material will depend on what kind of particulate radiation a substance is exposed to, and what kind of substance is being exposed to the radiation. To cite an example, if we lower a "slug" of cobalt-59 into an operating nuclear reactor to bathe it in the neutron flux, the cobalt-59 will absorb a neutron and become cobalt-60. Cobalt-60 is a gamma ray emitter, and a strong one. We can withdraw our slug and put it in a "vault" or "casket" to shield us from the radiation, and then use this as a radiation source to perform X-ray analysis of welds in something like piping. We open a "door" on the package by remote control, of course. By having a portable source, we can avoid having to drag an X-ray machine somewhere and try to find a place to plug it in. We can also install a big source in an industrial setting to irradiate and sterilize something like band-aids. This first aid product is manufactured and packaged and then exposed to a big shot of radiation to "clean" it. And it works.

Answer 2

When a metal is exposed to radiation, it can become activated and may generate radioactive isotopes. This can change the material properties of the metal, making it potentially hazardous to handle and requiring appropriate safety precautions for disposal.

Answer 3

Some metals can. It depends on the type of metal and the type and amount of radiation. This is known as induced radioactivity, and was discovered in 1934.