Topic 7 - Investigating Radiation

Question 1

what are alpha rays blocked by?

Answer 1

paper, skin or a few cm of air

Question 2

what are beta rays blocked by?

Answer 2

thin metal

Question 3

what are gamma rays blocked by?

Answer 3

thick lead or very thick concrete

Question 4

what does a Geiger–Müller tube measure?

Answer 4

the number of radioactive particles reaching it per second

Question 5

how would you investigate the penetration of radiation with a Geiger–Müller tube?

Answer 5

1. remove the radioactive source and measure a background count over a time period.
2. set up a radioactive source next to the Geiger–Müller tube and measure the count rate. subtract the background count
3. insert different materials between the radioactive source and the Geiger–Müller tube. record the count and subtract the background count.
4. if the count rate is similar the radiation can penetrate the material.