Science

Question 1

Why an element is radioactive

Answer 1

Having an unstable nucleus with an unstable amount of protons and neutrons

Question 2

Description of alpha particles

Answer 2

Slow moving protons and neutrons

Question 3

Description of beta particles

Answer 3

Fast moving electrons

Question 4

Description of gamma radiation

Answer 4

High energy electromagnetic wave

Question 5

Beta particles are stopped by

Answer 5

Thin sheet of aluminium

Question 6

Alpha particles are stopped by

Answer 6

Thin sheet of paper

Question 7

Gamma radiation is stopped by

Answer 7

Thick sheet of lead

Question 8

3 types of radiation

Answer 8

Alpha
Beta
Gamma

Question 9

Explain why an alpha source is used in the pacemaker rather than beta or gamma

Answer 9

Alpha will not escape the pacemaker as it’s made of metal, beta and gamma would escape and damage the tissue

Question 10

Why’s it important for a radioactive source to be long lasting

Answer 10

So It will not need replaced often

Question 11

Definition of background radiation

Answer 11

It’s radiation that is all around us and always present

Question 12

Unit of activity

Answer 12

Becquerd (BQ)
Counts per minute

Question 13

Ionisation

Answer 13

It’s the gain or loss of electrons to form an ion

Question 14

How does a graph show if background radiation is taken into account

Answer 14

The radioactivity levels drop to zero

Question 15

Ionising radiation

Answer 15

Is radiation emitted from an unstable nucleus

Question 16

Half life

Answer 16

The time taken for activity to fall by half

Question 17

In Industry radiation is used for

Answer 17

used to control the thickness of materials as it passes through the rolling mill
(Aluminium)

Question 18

Medicine radiotherapy

Answer 18

Radiotherapy is the use of radiation in medicine to kill cancer cells

Question 19

Radiation used for medicine

Answer 19

Gamma rays are used to penetrate deep inside the body and target the tumour and are rotated to not destroy healthy cells

Question 20

Agriculture radiation is used for

Answer 20

Gamma radiation is to treat fresh fruit by killing any bacteria or fungi stopping it from decaying

Question 21

Agriculture

Answer 21

The food will stay fresher for longer an preserve extending its shelf life

Question 22

Sources of background radiation

Answer 22

Carbon 14 in living organisms

Radioactive gas (radon) emitted from granite rock

Traces of potassium’s in some foods

Waste products from nuclear power stations

Medicine in hospitals

Cosmic rays