Types of radiation and nuclear equationsEdexcel A-Level Physics: Flashcards

What these 13 flashcards ask

What is background radiation?
What is the main natural source of background radiation?
How do you correct for background radiation?
What is an alpha particle?
What is a beta-minus particle?
What is gamma radiation?
What stops alpha, beta and gamma radiation?
Compare the ionising ability of alpha, beta and gamma.
How do A and Z change in alpha decay?
How do A and Z change in beta-minus decay?
What particles are emitted in beta-minus decay?
What changes in a nucleus when it emits a gamma photon?
In the lead absorption practical, what graph gives the absorption coefficient?

Exam questions on Types of radiation and nuclear equations

A student uses a Geiger-Müller (GM) tube and counter in a school laboratory. Before a source is brought near, the tube records 96 counts in 5.0 minutes. A gamma source is then placed near the tube, and the tube records 1440 counts in 2.0 minutes.
Calculate the corrected count rate from the source, in counts per minute.2 marks
An ionisation smoke detector contains a tiny sample of americium-241, ${}^{241}_{95}\text{Am}$ , which is an alpha emitter. The sample is held in a small open chamber inside a plastic case, and the alpha particles ionise the air in the chamber so that a small current flows between two electrodes.
Explain why an alpha emitter is suitable for use in a smoke detector.2 marks
Cobalt-60, ${}^{60}_{27}\text{Co}$ , emits beta-minus particles and gamma radiation. It is used to sterilise sealed plastic packs of surgical equipment in hospitals. The nucleus formed by the beta-minus decay is nickel, and it is formed in an excited state.
Write the nuclear equation for the beta-minus decay of cobalt-60.3 marks

Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).