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5.2 Radioactivity

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Question 41
a.

Alpha (α\alphaα), beta (β\betaβ), and gamma (γ\gammaγ) radiation have different properties.

Identify which of these three types of radiation matches each of the following descriptions:

  1. It is positively charged.
  2. It has the greatest penetrating power.
  3. It has the greatest ionising power.
  4. It consists of high-energy electrons.
[4]
b.

A sample of radioactive material contains 120 mg120\text{ mg}120 mg of cobalt-60. The half-life of cobalt-60 is 5.3 years5.3\text{ years}5.3 years.

Calculate the mass of cobalt-60 remaining in the sample after 21.2 years21.2\text{ years}21.2 years.

[3]
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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