Radioactive emissions

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Question 11
Medium

A student investigates the emissions from a radioactive isotope using a Geiger-Müller (GM) tube and counter. The background count rate is first measured to be 45 counts per minute (cpm)45\text{ counts per minute (cpm)}45 counts per minute (cpm). \nWith\nWith\nWith the radioactive source placed 2.0 cm from the window of the GM tube, the recorded count rate is 980 cpm980\text{ cpm}980 cpm.

  • When a sheet of paper is placed between the source and the GM tube, the count rate drops to 320 cpm320\text{ cpm}320 cpm.
  • When the paper is replaced by a 6 mm thick aluminium plate, the count rate drops to 45 cpm45\text{ cpm}45 cpm. \nWhich\nWhich\nWhich types of radiation are emitted by the source?

Beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−) and gamma (γ\gammaγ) only

Alpha (α\alphaα) and beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−) only

Alpha (α\alphaα) and gamma (γ\gammaγ) only

Alpha (α\alphaα), beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−), and gamma (γ\gammaγ)

Radioactive emissions Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Radioactive emissions