Question 9
FA tumour deep inside a patient is treated with a beam of gamma radiation.
Figure shows the arrangement used.
Figure: The arrangement used to treat a tumour with a rotating beam of gamma radiation
a.[1]
The gamma source stays outside the patient's body. Give one property of gamma radiation that makes this treatment possible.
b.[2]
Explain why the healthy tissue that the beam passes through is damaged less than the tumour is.
c.[1]
The patient is told that the treatment may make them feel unwell. Suggest why.
d.[1]
The patient decides to have the treatment even though it carries a risk. Suggest why.
4.3 Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation Questions
40 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Physics 4.3 Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation, covering 4.3.1 Background radiation, 4.3.2 Different half-lives of radioactive isotopes, and 4.3.3 Uses of nuclear radiation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.