7.1 Atoms and radiation

Question 1

Write two differences between radiation from uranium and the radiation from a lamp

Answer 1

radiation from U consists = particles, radiation from lamp =
electromagnetic waves,
radiation from U is ionising, radiation from lamp is non-ionising

Question 2

Write two differences between radioactive atoms compared with the atoms in a lamp filament

Answer 2

radioactive atoms have unstable nuclei whereas atoms in lamp filament do not,
decay of radioactive atom cannot be stopped whereas atoms in lamp filament stop emitting radiation when
filament current switched off

Question 3

The radiation from a radioactive source is stopped by paper. Name the type of radiation the source emits

Answer 3

alpha

Question 4

The radioactive from a different source goes through paper. Name the type of radiation the source emits

Answer 4

beta or gamma

Question 5

Name the type of radiation from radioactive sources that is most penetrating

Answer 5

gamma

Question 6

Explain why some substances are radioactive - 2 marks

Answer 6

atoms have unstable nuclei,

these nuclei become stable by emitting radiation

Question 7

A Geiger counter clicks very rapidly when a certain substance is brought near it.
Describe the substance that makes the Geiger counter click - 2 marks

Answer 7

substance emits (ionising) radiation so radioactive

Question 8

A Geiger counter clicks very rapidly when a certain substance is brought near it.
When the Geiger tube was near the substance, the counter clicked much less when a sheet of paper was placed between the substance and the tube. Explain why the counter clicked much less - 3 Marks

Answer 8

paper stopped most radiation from substance reaching Geiger counter,
paper absorbed radiation,
so must be alpha radiation

Question 9

What are the three main types of radiation from radioactive substances

Answer 9

alpha
beta
gamma