Radiation

Question 1

What three types of radiation are there?

Answer 1

Alpha, beta and gamma

Question 2

Where does radiation come from?

Answer 2

Unstable nuclei

Question 3

List the types of radiation in order of increasing penetration ability

Answer 3

1. Alpha-sheet of paper
2. Beta-3mm aluminium
3. Gamma-3m concrete

Question 4

What is an alpha particle?

Answer 4

Effectively a helium nucleus-2 photos and 2 neutrons +2 charge

Question 5

What is a beta particle?

Answer 5

An electron -1 charge

Question 6

What is a gamma ray?

Answer 6

An electromagnetic wave with no charge

Question 7

What is the ionising ability of alpha?

Answer 7

Very strong

Question 8

What is the ionising ability of beta?

Answer 8

Moderate

Question 9

What is the ionising ability of gamma?

Answer 9

Weak

Question 10

What is ionisation?

Answer 10

The process of removing an electron from an atom atom

Question 11

How do use a magnetic field to separate radiation

Answer 11

A magnetic field causes a moving charged particle to be deflected. The direction depends on the charge

Question 12

How do you use an electric field to separate radiation?

Answer 12

Pass it through two electrodes. The particles will move towards the opposite electrode

Question 13

What is an ionic half life?

Answer 13

The time taken for half of the atoms to decay

Question 14

What problems does radiation cause?

Answer 14

1. Mutations
2. Damage to cells and tissue
3. Disposal of waste

Question 15

What was the Geiger-matsden experiment?

Answer 15

1. They fired alpha particles at gold leaf

2. Most went straight through. Some were deflected. Some bounced back

Question 16

What was Rutherford’s atom like?

Answer 16

That the atom was mostly empty space with the tiny nucleus in the middle as opposed to spread out

Question 17

What happens in nuclear fission?

Answer 17

1. Uranium 235 breaks apart when it is struck by a low-charge neutron
2. Releases KE as gamma rays and decay fragments
3. The parent nucleus(235) froduces two daughter nuclei.
4. If these are absorbed by other fissile nuclei then a chain reaction ensues.

Question 18

What does the moderator do in nuclear fission?

Answer 18

Absorb some of the energy of fast neutrons so they are absorbed easily to sustain the chain reaction

Question 19

What do the control rods do in nuclear fission?

Answer 19

Absorb neutrons to eliminate them. Can be raised to speed up the reaction or lowered to shut down the reaction