A detector is placed near a radioactive isotope and records a count rate of 840 counts/min840\text{ counts/min}840 counts/min.
The half-life of the isotope is 10 min.
The average background count rate is 40 counts/min40\text{ counts/min}40 counts/min.
What is the count rate measured by the detector after 30 min?
100 counts/min100\text{ counts/min}100 counts/min
105 counts/min105\text{ counts/min}105 counts/min
140 counts/min140\text{ counts/min}140 counts/min
240 counts/min240\text{ counts/min}240 counts/min
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.