a) (i) Thorium is a radioactive element - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 6 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 6
a) (i) Thorium is a radioactive element. It has several isotopes.
State what is meant by the term isotopes.
Isotopes are variants of the same chemical element tha... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:a) (i) Thorium is a radioactive element - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 6 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
State what is meant by the term isotopes.
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Answer
Isotopes are variants of the same chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, leading to different atomic masses.
Step 2
Compare the initial activities of the samples.
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Answer
The initial activity of a radioactive sample is inversely proportional to its half-life. Therefore, since thorium has a longer half-life than radium, it will have a lower initial activity compared to radium.
Step 3
Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer.
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Answer
The answer is B, as it is highly ionising.
Step 4
Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer.
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Answer
The correct option is C, indicating that we understand more about the effects of radiation.
Step 5
Discuss how dangerous it would be to use this isotope of thorium in the toothpaste.
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Answer
Using thorium in toothpaste poses significant health risks due to its radioactive properties. Exposure to radioactive materials can lead to increased cancer risks and other health issues over prolonged periods. Given that thorium emits alpha particles, which can be very damaging to biological tissues when ingested or when in close contact with the skin, its use in consumer products like toothpaste is hazardous and unlawful in contemporary safety regulations.
