Answers to end-of-chapter questions

Chapter 23
1 Type of particle or
Radiation Symbol Mass Charge
electromagnetic radiation
alpha α 2 protons + 2 neutrons (He nucleus) 1 +2
beta β electron small −1
gamma γ electromagnetic radiation 0 0

2 radiation in the environment background

detectors of ionising radiation Geiger counter, photographic film
three types of ionising radiation from radioactive alpha, beta, gamma
substances

3 a it has negative charge

b charged; Fleming’s left-hand rule
c it is uncharged
4
Radiation Penetration Absorption Absorbed by
alpha least penetrating most easily absorbed thin paper, a few cm of air
beta in between in between thin metal foil
gamma most penetrating least easily absorbed thick lead or concrete

5 a (average) time, half, decay

b See Figure 23.10a.
6
Use … because …
Finding the age of an object radioactive substances decay at a known rate.
Seeing through solid objects radiation can penetrate matter.
Sterilising medical equipment radiation can destroy living cells.
Tracing the movement of hazardous small amounts of radiation can be detected.
substances

© Cambridge University Press 2014 IGCSE Physics Answers to end-of-chapter questions: Chapter 23 1
 7 β is more penetrating than α. [1] 11 a i background [1]
Detect using Geiger counter. [1] or any of the following:
Place thin paper over sources − α does contaminated surfaces
not pass through. [1] other radioactive material nearby
Place thin aluminium foil over radiation from rocks/soil
sources − neither passes through. [1] cosmic rays/radiation from space
radon gas from ground
8 a 15 [1]
counts per minute [1] ii count rate = 136 [1]
4
b 65 − 15 [1] = 34 counts/min [1]
= 50 counts per minute [1]
b i alpha or α [1]
c 65
ii 876 [1]
counts per minute

4
− 34
Count rate /

40 [1]
= 185 counts/min [1]

15 12 a i proton [1]
0 ii proton and neutron [1]
0 half- 2 4 6 8
life Time / hours b number of protons = 47 [1]
number of neutrons = 107 − 47 = 60 [1]
correct graph drawn [1]
After one half-life, the measured c i 8 h ± 0.25 h [1]
count rate will be down to 25 + 15 = 40 [1] ii Choose two points on the graph; for
Reading across from 40 on the graph, each, halve the value and add 8 h to
and then down, half-life = 1.3 h the time. [2]
approximately. [1]
9 a The formation of an ion [1]
by the removal of one or more
electrons from an atom. [1]
b X-rays [1]
10 a (for example) A patient with cancer is
exposed to γ-radiation. [1]
This damages the cancerous cells, [1]
which then die. [1]
b (for example) During the manufacture
of cardboard, β-radiation is passed
through the card. [1]
If the card is too thick (too thin),
the amount of radiation detected will be
too low (too high). [1]
The machinery is automatically
adjusted to give the correct thickness. [1]

© Cambridge University Press 2014 IGCSE Physics Answers to end-of-chapter questions: Chapter 23 2