A radioactive source emits both α\alphaα-particles and β\betaβ-particles. What is the thinnest material that can stop all of this radiation?
A single sheet of paper
A thin sheet of aluminium (a few millimetres thick)
A thick block of lead (several centimetres thick)
A thin sheet of plastic wrap
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.