PAG 7.1 Observing the Random Nature of Radioactive Decay Flashcards
What safety precautions must be taken when working with a radioactive source?
- limit exposure time
- warning signs should be displaued so people are aware that radioactive source is in use
- keep an arm’s length away at all times, and only ever handle the source using long-handled tongs
How should a radioactive source be handled safely.
Long handled tongs should be used to handle a radioactive source, and you should remain at least an arm’s length away from it at all times
How should a radioactive source be stored safely
Locked away in a sealed lead container.
A hazard symbol should be invisible on the container as well as at the location where it is stored
What is the inverse square law of radiation
The intensity of radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source.
What device can be used to measure a radioactive count rate?
A Geiger Counter or Geiger Muller Tube
When measuring the count-rate, what advantage comes with measuring over a longer period of time?
The longer the period of time over which it is recorded, the lower the uncertainty will be
What preliminary recording should be taken before bringing the radioactive source into the lab?
Background radiation count
How should background radiation be accounted for in the experimental data?
subtracted from the count to produce the correct count
How do you convert from count to count rate
Count rate should be divided by the length of time over which it was taken to produce a count rate
Why may old gamma sources be unsuitable for this experiment?
Depending on the source’s half-life and age, the activity may have fallen to a level that is too low to obtain easily recordable results
What is meant by the random nature of radioactive decay?
Radioactive decay is a random process, meaning you cannot predict which nuclei will decay next, or when the next decay will occur
