Radioactivity

GCSE Independent Study Task

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 238
Atomic symbols 92 U

Alpha α, Beta β and Gamma γ

Background radioactivity

Half-lives

Decay equations

Summary quiz
(Eight questions)

Tricky summary quiz

(Eight questions)
Atomic Symbols

+
+
+

Which part represents a proton?

+
+
+
Atomic Symbols

+
+
+

Which part represents a electron?

+
+
+
Atomic Symbols

+
+
+

Which part represents a nucleus?

+
+
+
Atomic Symbols

+
+
+

Which part represents a neutron?

+
+
+
Not quite right…
Memorise the diagram before going back...

Proton
+
Nucleus + Neutron

+ Electron

Go back
Atomic Symbols

Mass number
14
6 C
Proton number

Larger number: 14 = protons + neutrons

Smaller number: 6 = protons

How many neutrons does this atom have?

14 8 6 0
Not quite right…
Mass number
14
6 C
Proton number
Protons: 6

Neutrons: 14 – 6 =

Go back
Atomic Symbols

7
3 Li
How many protons and neutrons does this atom have?

7 protons 4 protons 3 protons

3 neutrons 3 neutrons 4 neutrons

7 protons 4 protons 3 protons

4 neutrons 7 neutrons 7 neutrons
Not quite right…
Mass number
7
3 Li
Proton number

Larger number = protons + neutrons

Smaller number = protons

Go back
Atomic Symbols

12 14
6 C 6 C
Which statement about carbon−12 & carbon−14
is incorrect?

They both have 6 protons

They both have 6 neutrons

They are carbon isotopes

Not quite right…
Here is a clue...

12 14
6 C 6 C
6 protons 6 protons
12−6 neutrons 14−6 neutrons

Go back
Atomic Symbols

235
92 U
How many protons and neutrons does this atom have?

92 protons 143 protons 143 protons

143 neutrons 92 neutrons 235 neutrons

92 protons 235 protons 235 protons

235 neutrons 92 neutrons 143 neutrons
Not quite right…
Mass number
235
92 U
Proton number

Larger number = protons + neutrons

Smaller number = protons

Go back
 +
14 +

6
C +
+ +
+

Atoms have more neutrons than protons (or equal).

Here is a way of remembering this:

Protons repel each other – the neutrons spacing them
mean the nucleus doesn’t fall apart

OK
Atomic Symbols

Which of these is “carbon-14”?

8 14
6
C 6
C

14 12
7
C 2
C

7 14
7
C 2
C
Not quite right…

Clue: carbon has 6 protons

Go back
Not quite right…

Clue:
Carbon-14 has a mass number of 14
In other words protons + neutrons = 14

Go back
Atomic Symbols

4 4
2 He 2 α
A helium nucleus and an alpha particle are identical.
Which two facts about these are correct?

2 protons isotopes 4 protons

4 neutrons 6 neutrons 2 neutrons

Not quite right…
Mass number

4 4
2 He 2 α
Proton number

Larger number = protons + neutrons

Smaller number = protons

Isotopes of an have different numbers of neutrons

Go back
Atomic Symbols

4 4
2 He 2 α
A helium nucleus and an alpha particle are identical.
Which one other fact about these is correct?

2 protons isotopes 4 protons

4 neutrons 6 neutrons 2 neutrons

Atomic Symbols

4 4
2 He 2 α
A helium nucleus and an alpha particle are identical.
Which two facts about these are correct?

2 protons isotopes 4 protons

4 neutrons 6 neutrons 2 neutrons

Alpha α, Beta β and Gamma γ
Some nuclei are unstable and decay.
When a nucleus decays alpha, beta or gamma is released

α
β

γ
Which types of radioactivity are particles?

α, β and γ α and γ β and γ α and β

Not quite right…
Have a careful look at the diagram

Go back
Alpha α, Beta β and Gamma γ

Look carefully at the alpha particle – what is it?

Four protons

Four neutrons

Two protons and two neutrons

An electromagnetic wave
Not quite right…
Have a careful look at the diagram
Clue: the nucleus is made from protons and neutrons

Go back
 Alpha α, Beta β and Gamma γ

Alpha particle: two protons and two neutrons

Beta particle: an electron made in the nucleus & ejected
Gamma: a high energy electromagnetic wave
Neutron: a single neutron is emitted

Which one has a negative charge?

Alpha α Beta β Gamma γ Neutron

Not quite right…

Go back
Alpha α, Beta β and Gamma γ
Paper Aluminium Lead
3mm

Which type of radioactivity is the most penetrating?

(hardest to stop)

Alpha

Beta

Gamma

They are equal

Not quite right…
Have a careful look at the diagram

Go back
Alpha α, Beta β and Gamma γ
Paper Aluminium Lead
3mm

Which type of radioactivity is the most ionising?

(easiest to stop)

Alpha

Beta

Gamma

They are equal

Not quite right…
Have a careful look at the diagram

Go back
Alpha α, Beta β and Gamma γ
Paper Aluminium Lead
3mm

Which materials can stop beta?

Paper & Aluminium Paper and

aluminium and lead lead

Aluminium
Paper only Lead only
only
Not quite right…
Have a careful look at the diagram

This question is slightly sneaky

Go back
Alpha α, Beta β and Gamma γ

The radioactive source (red) is tested to find out if it

gives out alpha, beta or gamma.
Which statement is incorrect?

The detector is a Geiger–Müller (GM) tube

The counts per second (Becquerels) are measured

The counts are measured with paper and then

aluminium placed in front of the detector

Lead is used to block all the radioactivity

Not quite right…
Which statment is incorrect?

Go back
Alpha α, Beta β and Gamma γ

Blocking material Counts per second (Bq)

None 231
Paper 162
Aluminium 168

Which type(s) of radioactivity does the source have?

α, β and γ α and γ β and γ α and β

α only β only γ only none

Not quite right…
Clue:
Look at the numbers in the table paper will block
alpha, aluminium will block beta, aluminium will not
block gamma

Blocking material Counts per second (Bq)

None 231
Paper 162
Aluminium 168

Go back
 Background Radioactivity

Alexander Litvinenko a former Russian spy died 23/11/06

assassinated with tea dosed with radioactive Polonium-210

What word describes having unwanted radioactive material

added to something?

Becquerel Irradiation Contamination Half-life

Not quite right…

Go back
Background Radioactivity

Some food products are irradiated

Which answer below is incorrect?

The food is exposed to gamma rays

Microorganisms on the food are destroyed

The food has a longer shelf-life

The food is contaminated and is now more radioactive

Not quite right…
Which statment is incorrect?

Go back
 Background Radioactivity

We are exposed to background radioactivty throughout our lives

What is the main source?

Medical Buildings

Nuclear weapons Cosmic rays from space

Nuclear power stations Food & drink

Rocks Radon gas from rocks

Not quite right…
Have another look at the pie chart

Go back
 Background Radioactivity

When you take a long distance flight you are exposured to a little
bit more radioacitivty from which source?

Medical Buildings

Nuclear weapons Cosmic rays from space

Nuclear power stations Food & drink

Rocks Radon gas from rocks

Not quite right…

Go back
 Background Radioactivity

How many flights would you have to take in a year to increase

your risk of cancer?

2,000 1,000 10 1
Not quite right…

Clue: 10,000 mrem ÷ 5 mrem =

Go back
 Background Radioactivity

Studies into the effects of radiation on humans are

published and shared with other scientists so that
the findings can be checked.

Verification Peer review Half-life Duplication

Not quite right…
The answer is a key word you will need to know
– it relates to research in all Science

Go back
 1
9
4 Be
4 protons, 9 neutrons

4 protons, 5 neutrons

4 neutrons, 9 protons

4 neutrons, 5 protons
 1
p+n= 9
p=4 Be
Incorrect
4 protons, 9 neutrons

4 protons, 5 neutrons

4 neutrons, 9 protons

4 neutrons, 5 protons

Go back
 2
Surgical instruments are
sterilised with radioactivity

contamination

irradiation

isotopes

aluminium
 2
Surgical instruments are
sterilised with radioactivity
Incorrect
contamination
Radioactive atoms are added to an object

irradiation
Exposure to radioactivity

isotopes
Atoms of an element with different neutrons

aluminium
3mm of aluminium stops beta radiation

Go back
 3
0
What is a beta particle?
-1 β
two protons + two neutrons

a neutron

an electron

an electromagnetic wave
 3
0
What is a beta particle?
-1 β
Incorrect
two protons
Alpha particle
+ two neutrons

a neutron

an electron

an electromagnetic
Gamma ray
wave

Go back
 4
226 222
88 Ra → 86 Rn + ???

alpha α

beta β

gamma γ

neutrons n
 4
226 222 4
88 Ra → 86 Rn + 2?

Incorrect
alpha α

beta β

gamma γ

neutrons n

Go back
 5
How big is the nucleus compared to the rest
of the atom? (You have to memorise this)

1/2

1/10

1/100

1/10,000
 5
How big is the nucleus compared to the rest
of the atom? (You have to memorise this)
Incorrect
1/2

1/10

1/100

1/10,000
Write the answer down
and memorise it when Go back
you get it right!...
 6
Below are the penetrating distances in
air for alpha α, beta β and gamma γ

Which one is for alpha?

1 metre

less than 5cm

more than 1km

 6
Below are the penetrating distances in
air for alpha α, beta β and gamma γ
Incorrect
Which one is for alpha?

1 metre

less than 5cm

more than 1km

Alpha is the least penetrating

You need to know these

distances Go back
 7
After three half-lives, how many
radioactive atoms remain?

nearly all

three quarters

two thirds

one eighth
 7
After three half-lives, how many
radioactive atoms remain?
Incorrect
C
14
6
C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
C C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
14
6

C
14
6

C C
14
6
14
6
C 14
6
14
6 C C 14
6 C
14
6

Go back
 8
Which is the odd one out?

food

radon gas

rocks

nuclear medicine
 8
Which is the odd one out?
Clue: natural/
artificial Incorrect
food

radon gas

rocks

nuclear medicine

Go back
 1
Which type of radioactivity can be stopped
by your skin but is most dangerous inside
the body next to living cells?

alpha α

beta β

gamma γ

neutrons n
 1
Which type of radioactivity can be stopped
by your skin but is most dangerous inside
the body next to living cells?

Incorrect
alpha α

beta β
Beta can pass through paper /skin
If taken inside the body, most gamma rays
gamma γ
pass straight out – they are penetrating

neutrons n

Go back
 2
What size is the atomic nucleus?
(You have to memorise this)

10-8 m (0.000 000 01m)

10-9 m (0.000 000 001m)

10-10 m (0.000 000 000 1m)

10-11 m (0.000 000 000 01m)

 2
What size is the atomic nucleus?
(You have to memorise this)

Incorrect
10-8 m (0.000 000 01m)

10-9 m (0.000 000 001m)

10-10 m (0.000 000 000 1m)

10-11 m (0.000 000 000 01m)

Write the answer down
and memorise it when Go back
you get it right!...
 3
9 4 12
4 Be + 2α → 6 C + ???

alpha α

beta β

gamma γ

neutron n
 3
9 4 12
4 Be + 2α → 6 C + ???
Incorrect
alpha α

beta β

gamma γ

neutron n
Clue symbol: 1
Go back
0?
 4
What will result in an object
becoming radioactive?

irradiation

contamination

both

neither
 4
What will result in an object
becoming radioactive?
Incorrect
If you are irradiated with a green light you
don’t stay green afterwards. The same is
irradiation
true if irradiated with a radioactive source

contamination

both

neither

Go back
 5
After two half-lives, what is the
ratio of parent to daughter nuclei?

1:1

1:2

1:3

1:4
 5
After two half-lives, what is the
ratio of parent to daughter nuclei?

C C
14
6
14
6
Incorrect
C C14
6
14
6

First half-life
14
6 C N 14
7

N C
14
7
14
6

Second half-life

14
7 N N 14
7
Go back
N C
14
7
14
6
 6
Lead has 82 protons
82 Pb
There are 4 stable isotopes of lead
How many neutrons is sensible?

208

124

82

60
 6
Lead has 82 protons 208
82 Pb
Incorrect
There are 4 stable isotopes of lead
How many neutrons is sensible?

208

124

82

60
Light-weight atoms: often p=n
Heavy atoms: n>p
Go back
 7
Paper Radioactive
source

Which radioactive source could check

paper thickness at manufacture?

alpha α

beta β

gamma γ
 7
Paper Radioactive

Incorrect source

Which radioactive source could check

paper thickness at manufacture?
Alpha would be totally stopped
alpha
by any thickness of paper α

beta β

gamma γ

Go back
 7
Paper Radioactive

Incorrect source

Which radioactive source could check

paper thickness at manufacture?

alpha α

beta β
Gamma would not be stopped at
gamma
all by any thickness γ
of paper

Go back
 8
Which is the correct order of
scientists?

Dalton, Chadwick, Thomson, Rutherford

Dalton, Rutherford, Chadwick, Thomson

Chadwick, Thomson, Dalton, Rutherford

Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Chadwick

 8
Which is the correct order of
scientists?
Incorrect
Dalton, Chadwick, Thomson, Rutherford

Dalton, Rutherford, Chadwick, Thomson

Chadwick, Thomson, Dalton, Rutherford

Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Chadwick

Research and learn these

– some detail for each one
Go back
needs to be memorised
Decay Equations

With alpha decay the nucleus loses two protons and

two neutrons
232 4 228
90 Th → a + 2 88 Ra
What is the symbol for the new element made?

Ra Th α 232
Not quite right…
Look at the equation carefully

The nucleus we start with in this example is Th (Thorium)

232 4 228
90 Th → a + 2 88 Ra

Go back
Decay Equations

232 4
90 Th → a +
2
?
?
Ra
How do we calculate the two numbers for Ra?

232 – 4 and 90 – 4

232 – 4 and 90 – 2

232 – 2 and 90 – 4

232 – 2 and 90 – 2
Not quite right…

Have a sneaky look at the equation again

232 4 228
90 Th → a + 2 88 Ra

Go back
Decay Equations

208 4
84 Po → a +
2
?
?
Pb

204 206
82
Pb 84
Pb

204 206
86
Pb 82
Pb
Not quite right…

208 4
84 Po → a +
2
?
?
Pb

Go back
Decay Equations

238 4
92 U → a +
2
?
?
Th

236 234
88
Pb 88
Pb

234 236
90
Pb 90
Pb
Not quite right…

238 4
92 U → a +
2
?
?
Th

Go back
Decay Equations

232
90 Th → Ra + a
?
?

224 226
88
Ra 88
Ra

228 230
88
Ra 88
Ra
Not quite right…

232 4
90 Th → a +
2
?
?
Ra

Go back
Decay Equations

82 0 ?
35 Br →–1 β + ?
Kr

82 82
35
Kr 36
Kr

82 83
37
Kr 35
Kr
Not quite right…

82 0 ?
35 Br → –1 β + Kr
?

Go back
Decay Equations

6 0 ?
2 He → -1 β + ?
Li

6 7
1
Li 1
Li

7 6
3
Li 3
Li
Not quite right…

6 0 ?
2 He → –1 β + Li
?

Go back
Decay Equations

42 ?
19 K → β + ?
Ca

42 42
20
Ca 21
Ca

38 40
21
Ca 21
Ca
Not quite right…

42 0 ?
19 K → –1 β + Ca
?

Go back
Decay Equations

6 0 6
2 He → -1 β + 3
Li

What happens to the nucleus in beta decay?

A gamma ray turns into an electron

A proton is added

A neutron turns into a proton

A proton turns into a neutron

Not quite right…

6 0 6
2 He → -1 β + 3
Li
Clue: 2 protons ? protons
4 neutrons ? neutrons

Go back
Decay Equations
No thank you
A tricky bonus question
to finish if you are brave Panic Button
Get me out of here

214 ?
90 Pb → 4β + 2α + ? ?
Lead-214 decays emitting four beta particles and two
alpha particles. What is the stable element created?

210 206
94
Pb 94
Pb
210 206
90
Pb 90
Pb
210 206
86
Pb 86
Pb
Not quite right…

214 0 4 ?
90 Pb → 4–1 β + 22α + ?
?

Go back
 Radioactive Half-Lives
C
14
6 6000 years
N 14

C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
(one half-life)
C C N
14 14
7
14
C C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
14 14
6
6

C N N C
14
6
14
7
6 7 14
7 6
Eight atoms of
radioactive carbon
6000 years
(another half-life)

???

How many carbon atoms are left after another 6000 years ?

8 4 3 2 1 0
Not quite right…
C
14
6 6000 years
N 14

C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
(one half-life)
C C N
14 14
7
14
C C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
14 14
6
6

C N N C
14
6
14
7
6 7 14
7 6
Eight atoms of
radioactive carbon
6000 years
(another half-life)

???

Clue: After each 6000 years the number of C atoms halves

Go back
 Radioactive Half-Lives
C
14
6 6000 years
N 14

C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
(one half-life)
C C N 14 14
7
14
C C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
14
C N N C
14
6
6
14
6
14
7
6 7 14
7 6
Eight atoms of
radioactive carbon
6000 years

N 14
7

N C N 14
7
14 14
??? N N N
14
7 14
6
14
7
6000 years
C 7 7
14
6

After two half-lives

How many carbon atoms will be left after three half-lives?

8 4 3 2 1 0
Not quite right…
C
14
6 6000 years
N 14

C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
(one half-life)
C C N 14 14
7
14
C C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
14
C N N C
14
6
6
14
6
14
7
6 7 14
7 6
Eight atoms of
radioactive carbon
6000 years

N 14
7

N C N 14
7
14 14
??? N N N
14
7 14
6
14
7
6000 years
C 7 7
14
6

After two half-lives

Clue: 8→4→2→?

Go back
 C
14
6 6000 years
N 14

C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
(one half-life)
C C N 14 14
7
14
C C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
14
C N N C
14
6
6
14
6
14
7
6 7 14
7 6
Eight atoms of
radioactive carbon
6000 years

N 6000 years 14
7N 14
7

N N N
14
7
14
7
N C N 14
7
14
7
14
6
14
7
14
7 N N N
14 N N N
14
14
7 14 14
7
C 7 C 14
6
7 7
14
6

After three half-lives After two half-lives

How long does it take for the carbon to decrease to 1/8th of
it’s start amount?

6,000 years 12,000 years

18,000 years 24,000 years

Not quite right…
C
14
6 6000 years
N 14

C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6 C C N 14 14
7
14
C C C C
14
6
14
6
14
6
14
C N N C
14
6
6
14
6
14
7
6 7 14
7 6

6000 years

N 6000 years 14
7 N 14
7

N N N
14
7
14
7
N C N 14
7
14
7
14
6
14
7
14
7 N N N
14 N N N
14
14
7 14 14
7
C 7 C 14
6
7 7
14
6

Clue: how long do three half-lives take?

Go back
Radioactive Half-Lives

At time 0 days the radioactivity is 80 Bq

How long does it take for the radioactivity to go to 40 Bq?

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days

Not quite right…

After how much time is the activity 40Bq?

Go back
Radioactive Half-Lives

A definition with a missing word

The half-life of a radioactive

isotope is the ......... it takes for
the number of nuclei of the
isotope in a sample to halve

proportion time rate activity

Not quite right…

If this definition is confusing it will be worthwhile

writing down and revisiting

Go back
 Radioactive Half-Lives

Carbon-11 has a half-life of 20 minutes.

How long will it take a sample of carbon-11 to decay to 1/32nd

of it’s original amount?

20 minutes 44 minutes 55 minutes 80 minutes

100 minutes 160 minutes 220 minutes 352 minutes

Not quite right…

Carbon-11 has a half-life of 20 minutes.

How long will it take a sample of carbon-11 to decay to 1/32nd

of it’s original amount?

Clue: 1/32 = ½ x ½ x ½ x ½ x ½ → 5 half-lives

Go back
 Radioactive Half-Lives

Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986, the

surrounding 30km exclusion zone is highly radioactive.

Caesium-137 is an important isotope released with a half-life of

30 years. Estimate how many years must pass for the amount of
caesium to drop to 10% of it’s initial amount.

30 years 60 years 90 years 120 years

45 years 80 years 100 years Helpful hint

Sneaky helpful hint...

Time Half-lives Caesium left Percent

30y 1 ½ 50%
60y 2 ¼ ...
90y 3 ... ...

Go back
Not quite right…

Time Half-lives Caesium left Percent

30y 1 ½ 50%
60y 2 ¼ 25%
90y 3 ⅛ 12%

Go back
 Radioactive Half-Lives

Following the Chernobyl nuclear disater in 1986, the

surrounding 30km exclusion zone is highly radioactive.

Caesium-137 is an important isotope released with a half-life of

30 years. Estimate how many years must pass for the amount of
caesium to drop to 10% of it’s initial amount.

30 years 60 years 90 years 120 years

45 years 80 years 100 years Helpful hint

Not quite right…

Time Half-lives Caesium left Percent

30y 1 ½ 50%
60y 2 ¼ 25%
90y 3 ⅛ 12%
120y 4 ⅛16 6%

So 90 years isn’t quite long enough

but 120 years is too long

Go back
 Radioactive Half-Lives
Count (Bq)

Time (s)

This graph is made using measurements from a real experiment.

Why is the graph wobbly and not smooth?

The results are inaccurately recorded

The half-life changes as the experiment goes on

Radioactive decay is random for each atom

Not quite right…

Clues:
The half-life of an isotope never changes – regardless of how
many atoms there are or the temperature or anything

Radioactive decay is a bit like tossing coins. We can estimate

how many coins should get heads but we can’t be exact

Go back
Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

James Chadwick
British
Discovered the neutron 1932
1935 Nobel Prize for Physics

Thanks
Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

Isaac Newton

Thanks
Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

Henri Becquerel
French
Nobel prize 1903
Discovered radioactivity 1896
Worked alongside Marie and Pierre Curie

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Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

Albert Einstein

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Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

Peter Higgs

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Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

Pierre Curie
Worked on piezoelectricity and radioacitivty
1903 Nobel Prize

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Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

Otto Hahn
German
Discovered nuclear fission
Nobel Prize Winner 1944

Thanks
Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

JJ Thomson
Nobel Prize Winner 1906
Discovered the electron
Plum Pudding Model

Thanks
Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

Marie Skłodowska Curie

Nobel prize 1903, 1911
Polish pioneer in radiactivity

Thanks
Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

Thomas Young

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Section Completed!
Here is your sticker:

Ernest Rutherford
New Zealander
Nobel prize 1908
Discovered the atomic nucleus

Thanks