The total count rate measured from a radioactive source (which includes a constant background radiation) is recorded over time. At t=0t = 0t=0, the measured total count rate is 250 counts/minute250\text{ counts/minute}250 counts/minute. The constant background radiation is 30 counts/minute30\text{ counts/minute}30 counts/minute.
What is the corrected count rate of the source after a time period equal to three half-lives of the radioactive isotope?
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.