7.4 - More about alpha, beta and gamma radiation

Question 1

State why a radiation source is stored in a lead box?

Answer 1

stops irradiation of nearby people or objects

Question 2

Name the type of ironising radiation from radioactive substances that is most easily absorbed

Answer 2

alpha

Question 3

Name the type or types of radiation from radioactive source that are stopped by a thick aluminium plate.

Answer 3

α, β

Question 4

Name the type of radiation from a radioactive source that is UNCHARGED

Answer 4

gamma

Question 5

Name the type of radiation from a radioactive source that is POSITIVELY CHARGED

Answer 5

alpha

Question 6

Name the type of radiation from a radioactive source that is NEGATIVELY CHARGED

Answer 6

beta

Question 7

Name the type of radiation from a radioactive source that

HAS THE LONGEST RANGE IN AIR

Answer 7

gamma

Question 8

Name the type of radiation from a radioactive source that

HAS THE GREATEST IONISING POWER

Answer 8

alpha

Question 9

Explain why ionising radiation is dangerous

Answer 9

can knock electrons from atoms,

this ionisation damages cell (or kills cell or affects genes in cell which can be passed on if cell generates more cells

Question 10

Explain how you would use a Geiger counter to find the range of the radiation from a source of alpha radiation
3 MARKS

Answer 10

(place Geiger tube in a holder so it can be moved horizontally,) move tube so end close to source and Geiger counter detects radiation from source,
move tube gradually away from source until count rate decreases significantly,
distance from end of tube to source is range of α radiation from source

Question 11

Explain why gamma radiation is not suitable for monitoring the thickness of metal foil

Answer 11

very little γ radiation absorbed by foil, it would all pass straight through so thickness of foil would not affect detector reading