Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
CHAPTER 5
RADIOACTIVITY
5.1 Understanding the nucleus of an atom [ …………/ 9 x 100 = …………….. % ]
A student is able to
5.1.1 describe the composition of the nucleus of an atom in terms of protons and neutrons.
5.1.2 define proton number (Z) and nucleon number (A).
5.1.3 explain the term nuclide
A
5.1.4 use the nuclide notation Z X
222
86 Rn 218
84 Po 235
92 U 141
56 Ba 92
36 Kr
Which of the above nuclides contains. [6 M]
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5.2 Analysing radioactive decay [ ………/ 52 x 100 = …………….. % ]
Spark Counter
Photographic plate
3 Radioactive substances may emit alpha, beta and gamma radiation .Fill in the
table to describe the characteristics of the three kinds of radiation. [6 M]
Types of radiation α β γ
Penetration High
3
4 The equation below represents a nuclear reaction. What is the value of P,Q,R,S,T and U.
[6 M]
+ P
2 1 4
i 1H 1H 0 n + Q He + energy
P : ___________________ Q : __________________________
234 R 0
ii S Th 91 Pa + −1 e
R : ___________________ S : __________________________
214 T 0
iii 82 Pb U Bi + −1 e + γ
T : ___________________ U : __________________________
Radioactive source
Radioactive source
4
When a radioactive source is placed inside the chamber . The radiation produced passes
through the vapour thus forming tracks in the dense alcohol vapour due to the condensation
of the alcohol vapour on the ions formed. These tracks are seen through the transparent
plastic lid.
Fill in the balnks and complete the tracks produced and the nature of tracks in the table below
to show the detection of different types of radiation by the cloud chamber. [6 M]
Type of
Tracks produced Nature of tracks
radiation
effect
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222
8 A nucleus of radioactive isotope 86Rn emits an α- particles when it decays to a
nucleus of an element Polonium, Po. [4M]
14
7 N + 4
2 He 18
8 O + X
(a ) Name the particle used to bombard the nitrogen nucleus?
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1
1 H : _____________ 2
1 H: ____________ 3
1 H: ___________
(c) Is there any difference in chemical properties ?. Give reason for your answer
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11 Radium was one of the first substances known to show the property of radioactive
decay. Radium has along half-life
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12 Diagram below is part of the decay curve for a sample of a radioactive isotope.
Half life of the isotope is 5 minute. [4M]
7
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(c) Predict what happen to the reading if the distance between detector and
the source increases?
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(a) If the samples of strontium-90 and radium-226 both has the same activity now
Which would have the lower activity in 10 years time. [3M]
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(b) i) If the activity of iodine is 400 count/min what would be the activity after 6 minutes
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ii) What is the time taken if the activity of iodine left is only 12.5
count/min ?
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8
1. The nuclei of an element that has the same proton number but
4 The top part of the diagram shows a section of steel plates which have been welded edge to
edge at A, B and C, to make a large steel sheet. A gamma ray source was placed on one
side of the sheet, pointing towards gamma ray detector on the other side. As the source and
detector were moved together along the steel sheet the output of the detector was measured
and is detector shown at monitor screen in the lower part of the output diagram.
9
(a) Explain what the detector output tells the engineer who did the welding about the joints
at A, B and C.
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(b) Explain how this procedure provides useful information about the steel sheet.
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5 The thickness of paper can be checked by putting a radioactive source on one side of the
paper and a detector on the other side.
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(b) How would the amount of α radiation passing through the paper be changed if the
thickness of the paper increased?
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10
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(c) In such an experiment it was found that the number of counts per minute varied even
when the thickness of the paper was unchanged. Explain this observation.
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6 In a paper mill, paper pulp is squeezed between rollers to form a paper strip.
The pressure of the rollers is controlled by a signal from a radiation detector as shown
radiation in the diagram. A radioactive source is placed on the paper opposite side of the
paper to the detector.
Suggest how this arrangement produces paper of uniform thickness.
If the radiation detector displays the same reading that is the expected reading when the
paper strip passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is
_________________.
If the radiation detector displays higher than the expected reading when the paper strip
passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is
__________________.
11
If the radiation detector displays lower than the expected reading when the paper strip
passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is
__________________.
________________ nucleus.
____________ nucleus.
Nuclear fission
12
TABLE 1
Table 2 shows an equation of a reaction and total atomic mass before and after a nuclear
fusion.
Nuclear fusion
TABLE 2
i). Similarities
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ii) Differences
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a) Advantage
i) _____________________________________________________________
ii) _____________________________________________________________
b) Disadvantage
i) _____________________________________________________________
ii) _____________________________________________________________
14
2 Effect of radiation can be categorised into two that is somatic effect and genetic effect.
Explain the difference and name the symptoms.
a) i) Somatic effect :_________________________________________________________
ii) Symptoms :____________________________________________________________
3. Mutu is carrying out an activity using solid and liquid radioactive sources. The radioactive
sources have long half lives. Among the apparatus used are forceps, rubber gloves, plastic
tray and apron.
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i). What are the precautionary procedure that need to be observed during the
activity.
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ii). Describe what steps should Mutu take after the activity to ensure his own safety
and the safety of other users of the laboratory.
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