Unit Two:

Question 1

Uses of radiation:

Answer 1

Smoke detectors- alpha
•weak source of alpha radiation
•source causes ionisation, and a current flows between the electrodes
•if there’s a fire then the smoke will absorb the radiation-so the current stops and the alarm sounds

Tracers in medicine (short half-life)- gamma or beta emitters
•certain radioactive isotopes can be injected into people and their progress around the body can be followed using an external detector. A computer converts the reading to a display showing where the strongest reading is coming from
•all isotopes must be gamma or beta emitters