IGCSE Physics – Nuclear Physics Revision
5.2 Radioactivity
1) a) State what is meant by background radiation.
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b) Name three sources of background radiation.
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c) Name a device that can measure the rate of background radiation.
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2) Complete the table below.
Alpha Beta Gamma
Nature
Ionising
ability
Penetrating
ability
Effected by
electric and
magnetic
fields
3) Complete the following decay equations by predicting the type of radiation emitted.
238
92 U → 23490Th + ..... 14
6 C → 147N + .....
218
84 Po → 21885At + ..... 210
84 Po → 20682Pb + .....
210
81 Ti → 21082Pb + .... 206
80 Hg → 20681Ti + .....
4) a) Define ‘half-life’.
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Chris Gozzard Physics – IGCSE Revision Series 1
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b) A radioactive sample is recorded to emit radiation at a rate of 850 counts per
minute. 20 hours later the emitted levels drop to 250 counts per minute. With out the
sample the background count is found to be 50 counts per minute. Find the half-life of
the sample.
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5) State the type of radiation source (alpha, beta or gamma) used in the following.
Food sterilisation .........................
Smoke detectors .........................
Measuring material thickness .........................
Chris Gozzard Physics – IGCSE Revision Series 2
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