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Physics · Atomic structure

Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation

Describe radioactive decay, activity and count rate, and compare alpha, beta and gamma radiation in terms of penetration, range in air and ionising power.

  • 6 key terms
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Teacher resources

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Student handouts

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Warm-up

Answer each one, then check.

  1. 1

    What is an unstable nucleus?

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    A nucleus that will change to become more stable

  2. 2

    What is an ion?

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    A charged atom

  3. 3

    What is a Geiger-Müller tube used for?

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    Detecting radiation

  4. 4

    What is a helium nucleus made of?

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    Two protons and two neutrons

  5. 5

    What is the unit of activity?

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    The becquerel (Bq)

Learning Objectives

  1. 1Describe radioactive decay as a random process.
  2. 2Define activity and count rate.
  3. 3Name the types of nuclear radiation and describe them.
  4. 4Compare alpha, beta and gamma in penetration, range in air and ionising power, and apply this to uses.

RADIOACTIVE DECAY

Some atomic nuclei are unstable. The nucleus gives out radiation as it changes to become more stable: this is radioactive decay, and it is a random process.

Activity is the rate at which a source decays, measured in becquerel (Bq). Count rate is the number of decays recorded each second by a detector.

Types of Radiation

Learn the properties.

  • Alpha (α)

    What it is: Two protons and two neutrons (a helium nucleus). Stopped by: A sheet of paper or a few cm of air. Range in air: A few cm. Ionising power: Strongly ionising

  • Beta (β)

    What it is: A high-speed electron from a neutron changing into a proton. Stopped by: A few mm of aluminium. Range in air: About 1 m. Ionising power: Moderately ionising

  • Gamma (γ)

    What it is: Electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus. Stopped by: Thick lead or several metres of concrete. Range in air: Very long. Ionising power: Weakly ionising

  • Neutron (n)

    What it is: A neutron from the nucleus. Stopped by: Thick concrete or water. Range in air: Long. Ionising power: Indirectly ionising

Choosing a Source

Which radiation would you use for a smoke detector, and why?

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  1. 1 Detector Uses alpha radiation ionising the air between two plates to make a small current
  2. 2 Why alpha It is strongly ionising but stopped by paper, so is safe outside the detector
  3. 3 Smoke Absorbs the alpha particles, the current falls and the alarm sounds

AnswerAlpha: it ionises air strongly (to give a current) but cannot escape the device.

Monitoring Thickness

Which radiation could be used to monitor the thickness of aluminium foil? Explain.

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  1. 1 Alpha Absorbed completely by the foil: no use
  2. 2 Gamma Passes through almost unchanged, so the thickness has little effect
  3. 3 Beta Partly absorbed: the count on the other side changes with thickness

AnswerBeta radiation: it is partly absorbed by thin foil, so changes in the count rate show changes in thickness.

Key Ideas

Getting the exam points.

  • Random

    It is not possible to predict when a particular nucleus will decay.

  • Activity or count rate

    Activity in becquerel (Bq); count rate is the number of counts per second on a detector.

  • Ionising

    Radiation that removes electrons from atoms to make ions can damage living cells.

  • Choose the radiation

    Match penetration and ionising power to the job, and think about safety.

Which Radiation?

For each use, choose alpha, beta or gamma and explain: (a) a smoke detector, (b) checking for a leak in an underground pipe using a tracer, (c) monitoring the thickness of paper in a factory.

1. Match penetration to the job.

2. Consider safety.

A good answer shows: (a) Alpha: strongly ionising, stopped by paper. (b) Gamma: penetrates soil and can be detected above ground. (c) Beta: partly absorbed by paper so the count changes with thickness.

Can I...?

  1. 1Define radioactive decay.
  2. 2Say decay is random.
  3. 3Define activity and count rate.
  4. 4Describe alpha, beta and gamma.
  5. 5State what stops each.
  6. 6Compare ionising powers.
  7. 7Choose a source for a use.
  8. 8Explain a choice.

Summary & Exam Focus

  • Alpha: helium nucleus; beta: fast electron; gamma: EM wave.
  • Penetration: alpha < beta < gamma.
  • Ionising power: alpha > beta > gamma.
  • Activity in Bq; count rate per second.

Exam focus

Describe what an alpha particle is. (1 mark) (1 marks)

Two protons and two neutrons.

Key terms

The vocabulary this lesson expects you to use. Each one is linked from the first place it appears above.

Radioactive decay
The random process in which an unstable nucleus emits radiation.
Activity
The rate at which a source decays, in becquerel.
Count rate
Number of decays detected each second.
Ionising
Able to knock electrons off atoms.
Alpha particle
Two protons and two neutrons.
Gamma ray
Electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus.

Questions and answers

10 questions set on this lesson, with the mark schemes and model answers open.

1. Exam question State 2 marks Easier

Describe what an alpha particle is and what a gamma ray is.

Mark scheme — 2 marks available

  • Alpha: two protons and two neutrons — 1 mark
  • Gamma: electromagnetic radiation — 1 mark

Model answer

An alpha particle is two protons and two neutrons (a helium nucleus). A gamma ray is electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus.

2. Exam question Complete 3 marks Easier

Complete the sentences. Alpha radiation is stopped by a ______. Beta radiation is stopped by a few millimetres of ______. Gamma radiation is reduced by thick ______.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Paper — 1 mark
  • Aluminium — 1 mark
  • Lead or concrete — 1 mark

Model answer

sheet of paper; aluminium; lead (or concrete)

3. Exam question Explain 3 marks Easier

A smoke detector contains a source of alpha radiation. Explain why alpha radiation is used and not gamma radiation.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Alpha strongly ionising — 1 mark
  • Stopped by paper or air so safe — 1 mark
  • Gamma penetrates and weakly ionising — 1 mark

Model answer

Alpha is strongly ionising so it ionises the air to make a current, but is stopped by paper or a few cm of air so it is not a hazard outside the detector. Gamma would pass out of the detector and is weakly ionising.

4. Exam question Explain 3 marks Easier

A factory monitors the thickness of aluminium foil by measuring the radiation that passes through it. Explain why a source of beta radiation is used and not alpha or gamma radiation.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Alpha absorbed completely — 1 mark
  • Gamma passes through unchanged — 1 mark
  • Beta partly absorbed so count rate shows the thickness — 1 mark

Model answer

Alpha is stopped by the foil so no radiation is detected. Gamma passes through almost unchanged so the thickness makes little difference. Beta is partly absorbed, so the count rate changes as the thickness changes.

5. Exam question Evaluate 6 marks Core

Radioactive sources are used in industry and medicine. Compare the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation and evaluate which is best to use as a tracer inside the body.

Mark scheme — 6 marks available

  • Level 3 (5 to 6 marks): properties of all three (penetration, range, ionising power), the tracer needs to pass out of the body to be detected outside, and a justified conclusion that gamma is best — 5 to 6 marks
  • Level 2 (3 to 4 marks): properties of at least two types with some link to use as a tracer — 3 to 4 marks
  • Level 1 (1 to 2 marks): simple statements about the radiation — 1 to 2 marks

Model answer

See levels-of-response scheme.

6. Multiple choice 1 mark Easier

Which radiation is the most ionising?

  1. A Alpha Correct
  2. B Beta
  3. C Gamma
  4. D They are equal

Why: Alpha particles are large and charged.

7. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

Which is stopped by a sheet of paper?

  1. A Beta
  2. B Alpha Correct
  3. C Gamma
  4. D None of them

Why: Alpha has a short range.

8. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

Activity is measured in...

  1. A sieverts
  2. B coulombs
  3. C becquerel Correct
  4. D watts

Why: 1 Bq = 1 decay per second.

9. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

A beta particle is...

  1. A a helium nucleus
  2. B an X-ray
  3. C a proton
  4. D a fast electron Correct

Why: Ejected from the nucleus.

10. Multiple choice 1 mark Stretch

Radioactive decay is...

  1. A random Correct
  2. B predictable for one nucleus
  3. C controlled
  4. D caused by heat

Why: You cannot predict when a given nucleus will decay.