A student uses a Geiger-Muller detector and counter to measure the radiation from a uranium ore sample over a period of 120 seconds120\text{ seconds}120 seconds.
The counter records a total of 1920 counts1920\text{ counts}1920 counts in this time. The background radiation count rate in the laboratory is 0.45 counts per second0.45\text{ counts per second}0.45 counts per second.
Calculate the corrected count rate for the uranium ore sample alone, in counts per second.
The student also has a decorative uranium glass vase with a mass of 0.85 kg0.85\text{ kg}0.85 kg.
Every 1 kg1\text{ kg}1 kg of this uranium glass has an activity of 3400 Bq3400\text{ Bq}3400 Bq.
Calculate the total activity of the vase in Bq\text{Bq}Bq.
Practise AQA GCSE Physics Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation (physics only) with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 16 questions covering Background radiation, Different half-lives of radioactive isotopes, and Uses of nuclear radiation, matched to the AQA GCSE Physics (8463) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.