Ionising Radiation

Question 1

Why do radioactive sources emit ionising radiation?

Answer 1

When their nuclei decays.

Question 2

What are the three types of ionising radiation?

Answer 2

Alpha particles
Beta particles
Gamma rays

Question 3

What do all three types of ionising radiation do?

Answer 3

Transfer energy from the radioactive material to their surroundings.

Question 4

How does ionising radiation change atoms into ions?

Answer 4

They’re so chemically reactive and ionising that they can remove electrons from atoms so that they turn into ions.

Question 5

Alpha and beta particles aren’t electromagnetic radiation, so what are they?

Answer 5

Particles of matter that are emitted with a lot of kinetic energy. This energy can ionise atoms.

Question 6

How can ionising radiation affect human cells?

Answer 6

When alpah, beta and gamma rays enter the body they collide with molecules in the cells. These collisions cause ionisation which damages the cell’s DNA and so causes mutations which can lead to cancer. Further exposure can destroy cells.

Question 7

What type ionising radiation does radioactive plutonium give off?

Answer 7

Alpha
Beta
Gamma

Question 8

Even though UV and x rays are ionising radiation, why are they different to alpha, beta and gamma?

Answer 8

UV and x rays are not produced by radioactive materials unlike alpha, beta and gamma.

Question 9

What do radioactive sources emit?

Answer 9

Ionising radiation