7.4 More about alpha, beta and gamma radiation

Question 1

how do you test the penetrating power of alpha, beta or gamma radiation

Answer 1

• measure the count rate without the source present (background radiation)
• measure the count rate with the source in place, subtract background count rate. This gives you the count rate of the source alone
• place a material between the counter and the source and measure the count rate

Question 2

What is the count rate

Answer 2

the number of counts per second

Question 3

How do you test how far radiation travels in air

Answer 3

• move the tube away from the source
• when the tube is beyond the range of radiation, the count rate from the source is 0

Question 4

ionisation def

Answer 4

any process in which atoms become charged

Question 5

irradiated def

Answer 5

exposure of an object to ionising radiation

Question 6

radioactive contamination def

Answer 6

the unwanted presence of materials containing radioactive atoms on other materials