This question is about radioactivity - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 2
This question is about radioactivity.
(a) Alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) are three types of radioactive emissions.
Which statement describes all of these radioac... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about radioactivity - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which statement describes all of these radioactive emissions?
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Answer
The correct statement is A: ionising and emitted by unstable nuclei. Alpha, beta, and gamma emissions are all forms of ionizing radiation and originate from unstable nuclei.
Step 2
Describe one similarity and one difference between the numbers of particles in one nucleus of fluorine-19 and one nucleus of a radioactive isotope of fluorine.
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Answer
Similarity: Both fluorine-19 and any radioactive isotope of fluorine will have the same number of protons, which is 9, as they are isotopes of the same element.
Difference: The number of neutrons will differ; fluorine-19 has 10 neutrons, while a radioactive isotope like fluorine-18 has 9 neutrons.
Step 3
Explain why the new count is greater than 268.
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Answer
When the aluminium sheet is removed, it no longer absorbs some of the beta particles emitted from the source. This leads to an increase in the number of detected particles, resulting in a count greater than 268 since more radiation can now reach the Geiger-Muller tube.
Step 4
Give a reason why there would now be a reading on the counter.
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Answer
When the beta source is removed, there is likely to be background radiation that is still being detected by the Geiger-Muller tube. This radiation is always present in the environment and can cause the counter to register a reading.
Step 5
State the SI unit for the activity of a radioactive source.
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Answer
The SI unit for the activity of a radioactive source is the becquerel (Bq), which is equivalent to one decay per second.
Step 6
State the SI unit for the activity of a radioactive source.
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Answer
Again, the SI unit for the activity of a radioactive source is the becquerel (Bq).
