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Radioactivity 3 MS

1. The document discusses radioactive decay and measuring background radiation. It notes that background radiation varies randomly over time and the rate of decay is very small. It also discusses measuring the half-life of a sample and determining it to be between 1.2-1.8 days. 2. The document defines the three main types of radiation as alpha, beta, and gamma. It explains that alpha particles are repelled by atomic nuclei due to their similar positive charge. 3. Information is provided about the radioactive isotope uranium-238, which has a very long half-life of 4.2 billion years. This means that after billions of years, very little of the original sample will have decayed.

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58 views

Radioactivity 3 MS

1. The document discusses radioactive decay and measuring background radiation. It notes that background radiation varies randomly over time and the rate of decay is very small. It also discusses measuring the half-life of a sample and determining it to be between 1.2-1.8 days. 2. The document defines the three main types of radiation as alpha, beta, and gamma. It explains that alpha particles are repelled by atomic nuclei due to their similar positive charge. 3. Information is provided about the radioactive isotope uranium-238, which has a very long half-life of 4.2 billion years. This means that after billions of years, very little of the original sample will have decayed.

Uploaded by

ummeb1289
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1 (a) any mention background B1

background/radiation varies randomly o.w.t.t.e. OR rate of decay very small OR


sample nearly all decayed B1 [2]

(b) correctly deducts correct background (13 – 15 /s) B1


takes 2 detector readings, one twice the other B1
correct working, with/without background subtraction, i.e. use of graph B1
half life = 1.2 – 1.8 days OR follows from working B1 [4]

(c) α (very) short range in air OR will not reach researcher


NOT will not penetrate skin B1
γ long range/very penetrating/heavy shielding needed OR will reach researcher B1 [2]

[Total: 8]

2 (a) (i) alpha or α

(ii) beta or β

(iii) gamma or γ B2

Symbols must be clear


3 correct B2
2 correct B1

(b) (i) repulsion B1


α particle and (gold) nucleus / protons of (gold) nucleus have positive charges B1

(ii) Any two of:


Nucleus is very small (compared to size of atom) OR Most of atom is empty
space

Nucleus is positive / contains protons OR Nucleus has (all) the positive charge
of the atom

Nucleus is heavy OR Nucleus has most / all of the mass of the atom B2 [6]

Ignore neutrons

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
3 (a) A and C B1

(b)
b) ( 4.2 × 1010 years B1

(ii) idea of decay OR changes proton/neutron/nucleon number


OR change into another nuclide/isotope/element/type of atom
OR emits α/β particle (ignore γ / radiation) B1

(iii) idea of insignificant change in activity during stated time up to 5 × 109 years
OR experiment time insignificant c.f. 1.4 × 1010 years OR long half life
OR long time to decay B1 [4]

4 (a) (i) proton B1

(ii) proton and neutron B1

(b) number of protons = 47 B1


number of neutrons = 60 B1

(c) (i) 8 hrs +/– 0.25 hrs B1

(ii) first point plotted is half the count-rate of a point on the curve, and 8 hours
after that point (ecf from (c)(i) ) B1

second point plotted same as above or with respect to first point plotted B1

possible points include:


16 hrs, 80 counts/s
24 hrs, 40 counts/s
13.5 hrs, 100 counts/s
21.5 hrs, 50 counts/s
16.5 hrs, 75 counts/s [7]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
5 (a) idea of background radiation M1
random/different at different times NOT places A1

(b) A nothing OR background M1


reading doesn’t change (when source removed) A1

B gamma OR γ M1
gamma undeflected (by magnetic field) A1
uncharged/neutral OR electromagnetic radiation A1

C beta OR β B1
deflection is big/more deflection than alpha B1
low mass/much smaller than alpha B1

OR

beta OR β B1
negative B1
deflects according to left-hand rule B1

[Total: 10]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

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