Topic 3

Question 1

Name the three types of radiation

Answer 1

Alpha, Beta and Gamma

Question 2

What are the properties of Alpha radiation?

Answer 2

Helium nuclei
Very ionising
Can be stopped by a sheet of paper

Question 3

What are the properties of Beta radiation?

Answer 3

Neutron particle
Moderately ionising
Can be stopped by Aluminium 3mm thick

Question 4

What are the properties of Gamma radiation?

Answer 4

Is a wave
Slightly ionising
Need thick lead to stop

Question 5

What is a fission reaction?

Answer 5

In a fission reaction a large unstable nucleus splits into two smaller ones

Question 6

How does nuclear power generate electricity?

Answer 6

Thermal energy from the reaction is transferred into water. Which turns the water into steam. The steam is then makes the turbine spin and the turbine generates electricity.

Question 7

What is nuclear fusion?

Answer 7

Nuclear fusion happens when small nuclei join together to form larger ones. This makes very large amounts of energy and is a very sustainable method of producing near infinite energy.

Question 8

What are the three types of nuclear waste?

Answer 8

High Level Waste (HLW)
- Stored for 50 years
Intermediate Level Waste (ILW)
-Remains radioactive for 10's of 1000's of years
Low Level Waste (LLW)
-It is buried in special landfill sites

Question 9

What are some used of radiation?

Answer 9

Tracers
Controlling thickness
Smoke alarms