P6-Radioactive Materials

Question 1

Name the particle that whizzes around the outside of an atom

Answer 1

Electrons

Question 2

Why do most alpha particles pass through gold foil?

Answer 2

Gold foil must have loads of empty spaces

Question 3

Alpha particles are positively charged what type of charge does a gold nucleus have?

Answer 3

Positive

Question 4

Name three types of ionising radiation?

Answer 4

Beta
Gamma
Alpha

Question 5

Can you change how a radioactive element gives out radiation?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

Which type of ionising radiation penetrates the furthest?

Answer 6

Gamma

Question 7

What does half life mean?

Answer 7

Half life measures how quickly the activity decreases
A short half life- means activity falls quickly
A long half life- meant activity falls slowly

Question 8

Briefly describe what happens when two atoms of hydrogen fuse together?

Answer 8

Make a helium nuclei

Question 9

How is low level radioactive waste disposed of?

Answer 9

Buried under the ground

Question 10

What happens to the cell that receives a high dose of ionising radiation?

Answer 10

Kill cells and cause radiation sickness

Question 11

What units are doses of radiation measured in?

Answer 11

Sieverts or more usually millisieverts

Question 12

Give two types of people who are exposed to radiation more often?

Answer 12

Workers in nuclear power stations

Some medical staff

Question 13

Give three uses of ionising radiation?

Answer 13

Tracers
Detect cancer
Gamma rays kill cancer cells and sterilise medical equipment and food

Question 14

Name a source of background radiation? I

Answer 14

Natural radioactive material in the air in the soil and in living things

Question 15

Name the two types of particle found in the nucleus of an atom?

Answer 15

Protons and neutrons