Properties of Radiation

Question 1

What are alpha particles?

Answer 1

-The same as helium’s nucleus (2 Protons 2 Neutrons)

Question 2

What are beta particles?

Answer 2

High energy electrons that are produced in a nuclei when a neutron changes into either a proton or electron

Question 3

What are Gamma rays?

Answer 3

An Electromagnetic wave that has the highest amount of energy out of every other type of electromagnetic wave.

Question 4

How can you identify the different types of radiation?

Answer 4

-Their nature
-Ionising ability
-Penetrating power

Question 5

What is the penetrating power of Alpha particles?

Answer 5

Low, stopped by a thin sheet of paper

Question 6

What is the penetrating power of Beta particles?

Answer 6

Moderate, stopped by a few mm of aluminium foil

Question 7

WHat is the penetrating power of Gamma rays?

Answer 7

High, reduced by a few mm of lead

Question 8

What is the ionising ability of Alpha particles?

Answer 8

High

Question 9

What is the ionising ability of Beta particles?

Answer 9

Medium

Question 10

What is the apparatus needed to investigate the penetrating abilities of different types of radiation?

Answer 10

-Radioactive sources
- Ruler
- Mount for the radioactive source
-Geiger-Muller tube and counter
-Tongs
-Selection of absorbing materials
-Lead lined containers for radioactive sources

Question 11

What is the method for the investigation of the penetrating abilities of different types of radiation?

Answer 11

-Connect the Geiger Muller tube to the counter and record the background radiation for 1 minute
-Repeat this 3 times and get the average
-Place a radioactive source 3cm away and count the rate for another minute
-One at a time, place the absorbers between the source and the tube and take another reading of the count rate for a minute
-Repeat the experiment for other radioactive sources