Skip to content

Course home

Sign up

5.2 Radioactivity

EasyMedium
123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128
Question 81

Three statements about alpha (α\alphaα) particles and beta (β\betaβ) particles are listed:

  1. The mass of an α\alphaα-particle is much larger than the mass of a β\betaβ-particle.
  2. The charge of an α\alphaα-particle is greater in magnitude than the charge of a β\betaβ-particle.
  3. An α\alphaα-particle travels at a speed closer to the speed of light than a β\betaβ-particle.

Which statements help to explain why α\alphaα-particles are much less penetrating (have a shorter range in air) than β\betaβ-particles?

A

1, 2 and 3

B

1 and 2 only

C

1 and 3 only

D

2 and 3 only

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.

Question bank