Nuclear radiation-Type of radiation

Question 1

What are the three types of radiation?

Answer 1

• alpha
• beta
• gamma

Question 2

What is the radiation known as alpha particles?

Answer 2

It is a helium nucleus.

(It has 2 protons and 2 neutrons.)

Question 3

What is the radiation known as beta radiation?

Answer 3

It is a fast moving electron from the nucleus.

Question 4

What is the radiation known as gamma radiation?

Answer 4

It is a high energy / frequency wave and part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Question 5

What is meant by ionisation?

Answer 5

It is when an atom gains or loses an electron to become charged.

Question 6

Which is the most ionising radiation?

Answer 6

Alpha

Question 7

Which is the least ionising radiation?

Answer 7

Gamma

Question 8

What will absorb alpha radiation?

Answer 8

A few centimetres of air or a sheet of paper.

Question 9

What will absorb beta radiation?

Answer 9

A few millimetres of aluminium

Question 10

What will absorb gamma radiation?

Answer 10

Several centimetres of lead

Question 11

What is meant by shielding?

Answer 11

Shielding means having something that will absorb radiation between you and the source of the radiation.

Question 12

What will the amount of shielding required depend on?

Answer 12

The amount of shielding required to protect against different kinds of radiation depends on how much energy they have.

Question 13

How can you reduce your exposure to radiation when you are working with it?

Answer 13

• Limit the time you have the source out (only get it when you need it)
• Handle only using tongs
• Keep the source at arm’s length
• Wash hands before and after use
• Do not eat while handling it
• Wear lead lined gloves/apron and safety goggles

Question 14

What is meant by background radiation?

Answer 14

It is the radiation that is all around us.

Question 15

State a source of man-made background radiation.

Answer 15

1) Weapons testing
2) Waste from the Nuclear industry
3) Medical uses: Having an X-ray, CT scan, barium meal etc.

Question 16

State a source of natural background radiation.

Answer 16

1) Rocks: Some rocks such as granite or pitchblende are high in radioactivity
2) Food: Food can be slightly radioactive because of the soil it has been grown in.
3) Body: Contains Potassium 40 which is radioactive.
4) Cosmic Rays: Radiation from the Sun and outer space. The atmosphere will absorb most of this.
5) Radioactive gases: Radon and Thoron gases make up most of the dosage you will receive from background radiation. The gases come from rocks underground and the amount you are exposed to depends on the geology of where you live.

Question 17

What are the particles in the nucleus called?

Answer 17

Protons and neutrons

Question 18

What is the charge on a proton?

Answer 18

Positive

Question 19

What is the charge on a neutron?

Answer 19

No charge

Question 20

What is the charge on an electron?

Answer 20

Negative

Question 21

In an atom which particle orbits the nucleus?

Answer 21

Electron

Question 22

What are the main parts of an atom?

Answer 22

See diagram

Question 23

What is the charge on an alpha particle?

Answer 23

Positive

Question 24

What is the charge on a beta particle?

Answer 24

Negative

Question 25

What is the charge on a gamma ray?

Answer 25

No charge