This question is about radioactivity - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 2
This question is about radioactivity.
(a) Alpha ($\alpha$), beta ($\beta$) and gamma ($\gamma$) are three types of radioactive emissions.
Which statement describes... 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 radiation are all produced by radioactive decay processes in 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 have the same number of protons, which is 9, since they are both isotopes of fluorine.
Difference: Fluorine-19 has 10 neutrons, whereas a radioactive isotope, such as fluorine-18, has 9 neutrons.
Step 3
Explain why the new count is greater than 268.
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Answer
The new count is greater than 268 because removing the aluminium sheet reduces the attenuation of the beta radiation. Thus, more beta particles reach the G-M tube, leading to a higher count.
Step 4
Give a reason why there would now be a reading on the counter.
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Once the beta source is removed, the counter would still register a reading due to background radiation present in the environment, which is always occurring.
Step 5
State the SI unit for the activity of a radioactive source.
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The SI unit for the activity of a radioactive source is the becquerel (Bq).
