CHAPTER 10(QUESTIONS) SECTION A 2005 SECTION A Q7 [10 marks] 1 (a) A grazing pasture was polluted with radioactive waste

from a nuclear reactor. A researcher carried out a study on the radioactive content in the milk collected from the cows in that area. He discovered the radioactive content in every litre of the milk was 1600 counts per minute. he researcher continued to measure the radioactivity in the milk from that area in 10 day intervals. he results of the study are shown in a!le ".1.

Time/ a! Ra i$a%&i'i&!/ %$()&s *er mi)(&e

10

20

"0

#0

1+00

+00

2#0

100

#0

A#$% ".1 (i) &n the graph paper !elow' draw a graph of radioactivity against time. () marks*

116

(ii) +sing the graph in (a)(i)' determine the half,life of the radioactive material in the milk. -how on the graph how you determined the half,life.

he half,life is ......... days.

() marks*

(iii) /ilk is safe to drink if the radioactivity in every litre of the milk is not more than 00 counts per minute. +sing the half,life in (a)(ii)' calculate the time when the milk from this area !ecomes safe to drink.

() marks* (!) 1n a nuclear reactor' radium,))6 decays to !ecome radon,))) !y releasing one alpha particle. his reaction e2periences a mass defect. (i) he num!er ))6 for radium is called its ........ num!er. (1 mark* (ii) 3omplete the e4uation of the reaction !y writing the appropriate num!er in the !o2es provided.

))6 66

7a

)))

7n
5

He
5

%nergy
(1 mark*

117

(iii)

he nuclear reaction of one nucleus of radium,))6 e2periences a mass defect -30 of 6.6616 10 kg. 3alculate the energy released in the nuclear reaction. ( ) mark* ( he velocity of light is 8 106 m s,1 ).

2007 Se%&i$) A N$,- [12 marks] ). 9iagram 6 shows a system used in a factory to ensure the thickness of a card!oard sheet is uniform.

he radioactive source' radiation detector and counter are used to detect the thickness of the card!oard sheet. he radioactive source contains a radioisotope. he roller is used to compress the card!oard sheet.

a!le 6 shows four radioisotopes with their respective properties. (a) :hat is meant !y a radioisotope; 118

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (1 mark* (!) #ased on a!le 6' state the suita!le properties of the radioisotope to detect the thickness of the card!oard sheet. =ive reason for the suita!ility of the properties. (i) Half,life <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 7eason. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< () marks* (ii) ype of radiation

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 7eason. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< () marks* (iii) >hysical state <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 7eason. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< () marks* (c) #ased on the answers in )(!)' determine the most suita!le radioisotope in a!le 6 to detect the thickness of the card!oard sheet. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (1 mark* (d) he radioisotope in )(c) is used to detect the thickness of the card!oard sheet. (i) -tate the change in the reading of the counter when a thicker card!oard is used. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (1 mark* (ii) How is the thickness of the card!oard sheet reduced; <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (1 mark* (e) he half,life of 3o!alt,60 is 0.)" years.

119

3alculate the time taken for the activity of 3o!alt,60 to reduce to 6.)0? of its initial value.

() marks*

120