Radioactive waste from nuclear power stations is a man-made source of background radiation - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 5
Radioactive waste from nuclear power stations is a man-made source of background radiation.
Which of the following is also a man-made source of background radiation... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Radioactive waste from nuclear power stations is a man-made source of background radiation - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which of the following is also a man-made source of background radiation?
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Answer
The correct answer is radiotherapy.
Step 2
Complete the sentences to describe the process of nuclear fission.
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Answer
An unstable nucleus absorbs a neutron and splits into two parts.
Two or three neutrons are released, as well as energy and gamma rays.
Step 3
How does the nuclear equation show that alpha radiation is emitted when plutonium-239 decays?
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Answer
The correct answer is An alpha particle is the same as a helium nucleus.
Step 4
How much time will it take for the activity of the sample of plutonium-239 to fall to half of its initial activity?
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Answer
Time = 24000 years
Step 5
What is the half-life of plutonium-239?
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Answer
Half-life = 24000 years
Step 6
Suggest one risk of going near the place where radioactive waste is buried.
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Answer
One risk is irradiation, which can lead to cancer.
