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5.2 Radioactivity

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Question 40

A student investigates the radiation emitted by a radioactive substance. A detector is placed near the source, and different absorbers are placed between the substance and the detector. The table below shows the counter readings, which have been corrected for background radiation:

AbsorberCounter reading (counts per minute)None240Thin paper240Few mm of aluminium95Several cm of lead8 \begin{array}{|c|c|} \hline \text{Absorber} & \text{Counter reading (counts per minute)} \\ \hline \text{None} & 240 \\ \hline \text{Thin paper} & 240 \\ \hline \text{Few mm of aluminium} & 95 \\ \hline \text{Several cm of lead} & 8 \\ \hline \end{array} AbsorberNoneThin paperFew mm of aluminiumSeveral cm of lead​Counter reading (counts per minute)240240958​​

Which types of radiation are being emitted by the substance?

A

α\alphaα-particles and β\betaβ-particles only

B

α\alphaα-particles and γ\gammaγ-rays only

C

β\betaβ-particles and γ\gammaγ-rays only

D

α\alphaα-particles, β\betaβ-particles, and γ\gammaγ-rays

Markscheme

5.2 Radioactivity Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /5.2 Radioactivity

484 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.2 Radioactivity, covering 5.2.1 Background radiation and measuring count rate, 5.2.2a Alpha, beta and gamma emission, 5.2.2b Deflection and ionising effects of nuclear radiation, 5.2.3a Radioactive decay, 5.2.3b Effects of decay on the nucleus and decay equations, 5.2.4a Half-life, 5.2.4b Choosing isotopes for applications, and 5.2.5 Effects of ionising radiation and safety precautions. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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