Radiation

Question 1

Neutron

Answer 1

A particle with no charge

Question 2

Electron

Answer 2

A particle with negative charge

Question 3

Proton

Answer 3

A particle with positive charge

Question 4

Nucleus

Answer 4

A collection of protons and neutrons ( positive and neutral particles)

Question 5

Alpha

Answer 5

Helium nucleus, Positive charge, Compared to beta is large

Question 6

Beta

Answer 6

Electron, negative charge, small and light

Question 7

Gamma

Answer 7

Electromagnetic wave, high and energy, travels at speed of light

Question 8

Charged atom

Answer 8

When atom has gained or lost electrons

Question 9

When electron is added

Answer 9

Negative charged ions

Question 10

When proton is added

Answer 10

Positive charged ions

Question 11

Absorption

Answer 11

When radiation hits material, its energy is absorbed by that material

Question 12

Shielding

Answer 12

Materials which absorb all the energy from radiation can be used to shield
objects which are sensitive to radiation

Question 13

What absorbs alpha radiation

Answer 13

Alpha radiation is absorbed by a few cm
of air or a piece of paper/thin card

Question 14

What can absorb beta radiation

Answer 14

Beta radiation is absorbed by a few mm
of Aluminium.
Aluminium will also absorb alpha radiation.

Question 15

What can absorb gamma radiation

Answer 15

Gamma radiation is absorbed by a few cm
of Lead or several metres of concrete.
Lead will also absorb alpha and beta Radiation

Question 16

How to detect radiation

Answer 16

The ionising effect of radiation is used in the Geiger-Muller (GM) tube as a
means of detecting the radiation.

Question 17

Background radiation

Answer 17

Background radiation is radiation from our surroundings. It is normally at a very low level

Question 18

Natural sources of radiation

Answer 18

Natural sources of
radiation are – radon gas
from rocks and soil
(particularly granite),
gamma rays from ground,
carbon and potassium in
body and cosmic rays
from outer space.

Question 19

Artificial sources of radiation

Answer 19

Human made sources of radiation are – medical applications such as x-rays and
radionuclides, fallout from weapons testing; nuclear waste from power stations,

Question 20

Medical applications

Answer 20

Medical procedures such as X-ray or gamma ray scans and cancer treatment are
all radiation sources. These are kept to a minimum to protect your health.

Question 21

Industrial applications

Answer 21

Radiation can be used to test welds without destroying them.
Some jobs expose workers to a higher dose of radiation than normal – these
include miners and aircrew as well as nuclear power plant workers.

Question 22

Types of fission

Answer 22

Spontaneous fission and induced fission

Question 23

When does fission occur

Answer 23

Fission occurs when a neutron slams into a larger atom forcing it to split into 2 smaller atoms.

Question 24

When does spontaneous fission occur

Answer 24

Spontaneous fission happens when the nucleus is
unstable.

Question 25

When does induced fission occur

Answer 25

Induced fission is started when a fast neutron collides with the uranium nucleus making it unstable

Question 26

Reasons for nuclear power

Answer 26

Nuclear power stations produce a large amount of energy for a small amount of
fuel. There are no carbon dioxide or sulphur dioxide emissions from a nuclear
power station.

Question 27

Reasons against nuclear power

Answer 27

Power stations produce radioactive waste must be stored securely for a very
long time.
There is a risk of severe accidents if power stations go wrong.

Question 28

Biological effect of radiation

Answer 28

Radiation can kill or damage cells. If the DNA of a cell is altered it can grow
into a tumour.

Question 29

Environmental hazards of radiation

Answer 29

Living things – plants and animals as well as humans, are affected by radiation.
Very high doses can be fatal. Lower doses can cause sickness and mutations.