Nuclear Radaition

Question 1

Three types of nuclear radiation.

Answer 1

Alpha, Beta, Gamma

Question 2

Another name for Alpha radiation.

Answer 2

Helium Nucleus, or 2 neutrons and 2 protons

Question 3

Another name for Beta radiation.

Answer 3

Fast moving electron

Question 4

Another name for Gamma radiation.

Answer 4

High energy electromagnetic radiation

Question 5

Increasing shielding has what effect on the dose?

Answer 5

Reduces the dose

Question 6

Increasing the distance between the radioactive sample and the person has what effect on the dose?

Answer 6

Reduces the dose

Question 7

Increasing the time exposed has what effect on the dose?

Answer 7

Increases the dose

Question 8

Ionisation is…

Answer 8

the gain or loss of an electron from an atom

Question 9

Arrange Alpha, Beta and Gamma in order of mass.

Answer 9

From largest to smallest: Alpha, Beta, Gamma

Question 10

The charge on an Alpha particle is

Answer 10

Positive

Question 11

The charge on a Beta particle is

Answer 11

Negative

Question 12

The charge on Gamma radiation is

Answer 12

No Charge

Question 13

The name given to the radiation that everyone is exposed to every day.

Answer 13

Background Radiation

Question 14

When measuring the count rate of a sample the background radiation must be removed. What is left is called the…

Answer 14

corrected count rate

Question 15

Activity

Answer 15

The number of decays that occur each second

Question 16

Natural Sources of background radiation

Answer 16

Cosmic Rays, Radon Gas, Radioactive Rocks

Question 17

Man-made sources of background radiation

Answer 17

Nuclear Power Stations, Atomic Weapons Testing, Nuclear Medicine

Question 18

Arrange Alpha, Beta and Gamma in order of ionisation ability, from largest to smallest.

Answer 18

Alpha, Beta, Gamma

Question 19

Distance travelled in air by Alpha

Answer 19

up to 10 cm

Question 20

Distance travelled in air by Beta

Answer 20

up to 1 m

Question 21

Distance travelled in air by Gamma

Answer 21

up to 1 km

Question 22

Thinnest material Alpha is absorbed by

Answer 22

paper

Question 23

Thinnest material Beta is absorbed by

Answer 23

3 mm aluminium

Question 24

Thinnest material Gamma is absorbed by

Answer 24

10 cm lead

Question 25

Name 3 detectors of Nuclear Radiation

Answer 25

Geiger Muller Tube and Counter, Photographic Film, Scintillation Counter

Question 26

State 3 safety procedures that should always be followed when working with Nuclear Radaition

Answer 26

1) Never use bare hands to hold a source 2) Never bring the source close to your eyes 3) Store source in shielded box when not in use

Question 27

What is meant by Half Life?

Answer 27

The time for the activity to fall to half of its original value.

Question 28

Symbol and unit for Absorbed Dose

Answer 28

D (Gy)

Question 29

Symbol and unit for Equivalent Dose

Answer 29

H (Sv)

Question 30

Symbol and unit for Equivalent Dose Rate

Answer 30

H "dot" (Sv/s), (Sv/minute), (Sv/h)

Question 31

Radiation Weighting Factor

Answer 31

A measure of the biological harm from the type of radiation.

Question 32

How are radioactive sources used in medicine for diagnosis?

Answer 32

Radioactive source is injected into/swallowed by the the patient and the radiation produced is monitored from outside the body.

Question 33

How are radioactive sources used in medicine for treatment?

Answer 33

A high dose of radiation is used to kill cancerous cells.

Question 34

Which type of radiation is most suitable for use in medical diagnosis?

Answer 34

Gamma (as it can penetrate the skin)

Question 35

State 3 uses of nuclear radiation in industry.

Answer 35

Tracers, Sterilisation, Smoke Detectors

Question 36

State 2 advantages of Nuclear Fission

Answer 36

1) unlike fossil fuels, it does not produce greenhouse gases | 2) smaller mass of fuel needed compared to coil or oil power stations

Question 37

State 2 disadvantages of Nuclear Fission

Answer 37

1) Radioactive waste is produced | 2) Risk of a serious accident

Question 38

Describe a Nuclear Fission reaction

Answer 38

A nuclei of larger mass splits into 2 or more nuclei of smaller mass releasing energy.

Question 39

Describe a Chain Reaction

Answer 39

A nuclear fission reaction releases several neutrons, which can each go on to cause further nuclear fission reactions.

Question 40

What is the role of the control rods in a nuclear reactor?

Answer 40

Absorb neutrons

Question 41

What is the role of the moderator in a nuclear reactor?

Answer 41

Slow down fast neutrons

Question 42

What is the role of the fuel rods in a nuclear reactor?

Answer 42

Contain the nuclei that undergo fission.

Question 43

What is the role of the cooling system in a nuclear reactor?

Answer 43

Transfers heat to the boiler

Question 44

What is the role of the containment vessel in a nuclear reactor?

Answer 44

Absorbs neutrons and radiation

Question 45

Describe a Nuclear Fusion reaction

Answer 45

Two smaller nuclei combine to produce a larger nucleus and release energy.

Question 46

State 2 advantages of Nuclear Fusion

Answer 46

1) More energy released for each kilo of fuel used | 2) Less radioactive waste

Question 47

Use the words Tokamak, Plasma and Magnetic Fields to describe how Nuclear Fusion can be controlled.

Answer 47

A tokamak uses magnetic fields to contain a high temperature plasma where nuclear fusion can take place.