Nuclear radiation is emitted from unstable nuclei and can be alpha, beta, or gamma radiation.
State the relative electrical charge of an alpha (α\alphaα) particle.
Describe the nature of a beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−) particle.
Write the three types of radiation (α\alphaα, β\betaβ, γ\gammaγ) in order of increasing ionising power.
State two safety precautions that a technician should take when handling radioactive sources to minimize their exposure to radiation.
Complete the table below to show whether each type of radiation is stopped or goes through the given absorber. Use the terms 'stopped' or 'goes through'.
| Type of radiation | Thin sheet of paper | 2 mm of aluminium | 10 cm of lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha radiation | stopped | ||
| Beta radiation | goes through | ||
| Gamma radiation | stopped |
State the name of one device (other than a Geiger-Müller (GM) tube) that can be used to detect nuclear radiation.
65 exam-style questions on Edexcel IGCSE Physics Radioactivity. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.