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RADIOACTIVITY(TEACHER’S COPY)
5.1 Understanding the nucleus of an atom

A student is able to

i describe the composition of the nucleus of an atom in terms of protons and neutrons.
ii define proton number (Z) and nucleon number (A).
iii explain the term nuclide
iv use the nuclide notation X
v define isotope

1 A nuclide is an atom of a particular structure

A nucleus for element X is represented by X

What does A , Z and X represent?

A : nucleon
Z : proton
X : element

2 Below are the symbols for five nuclides

Rn Po U Ba Kr

Which of the above nuclides contains

i) the most number of nucleon
U-235
ii) The least number of nucleon
Kr-92
iii) The most number of protons
U-235
iv) The least number of protons
Kr-92
v) The most number of neutrons
U-235
vi) The least number of neutrons
Kr-92
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5.2 Analysing radioactive decay

A student is able to:

i state what radioactivity is.

ii name common detectors for radioactive emissions.
iii compare the 3 kinds of radioactive emissions in terms of their nature.
iv explain what radioactive decay is.
v use equations to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when particles are
emitted.
vi explain half -life.
vii determine half-life from a decay curve.
viii solve problems involving half -life.

Fill in the blank.

1 Radioactivity is a spontaneous and random emission of radioactive rays from an unstable nucleus to
become more stable nucleus.

Name of detectors Particles or rays detected

Geiger Muller Tube (GM Tube) β, γ

Spark Counter α

Gold leaf electroscope α

Photographic plate α, β and γ

3 Radioactive substances may emit alpha, beta and gamma radiation .Fill in the
table to describe the characteristic of the three kinds of radiation.

Types of radiation α β γ

Nature Helium nuclei High speed Electro magnetic

electron ray

Ionising effect
high Moderate Low

Penetration
Low moderate High
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4 The equation below represents a nuclear reaction . What is the value of P,Q, R,S,T and U.
i +  + + energy

P: 3 Q: 2

ii  +

R: 234 S: 90

iii  + + γ

T: 214 U: 83

5 Show in the diagram below how α, β and γ are affected in

(a) α

+ _
β

Radioactive
source
γ

β
(b) α

. Magnetic field
directed into the paper

Radioactive
source

6. Fill in the blanks.

Type of
Tracks produced Nature of tracks
radiation
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1. Tracks are …straight……….. because of bigger

mass .

α- Particles 2. Tracks are ...thick........because of strong ionising

effect.

ß – Particles 1. Tracks are twisted and thinner

2. Easily collides with the vapour

molecule

3. Less ionizing effect compare with

alpha particles

1. Track are short,…thin………. and irregular

 - rays 2.  - rays have the lowest …ionising………

effect

3. High penetrating power.

7 The arrangement of the apparatus is used to study the type of radioactive radiation
emitted by a radioactive source

Table below shows the result of the study.

Absorber Air Paper Aluminium 3 mm Lead 10 cm

Rate meter reading 120 119 50 50

What type of radiation is emitted by the radioactive source ? Why

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β. Penetration rate is higher with paper but low with Al and Lead

8 A nucleus of radioactive isotope emits an α- particles when it decays to a nucleus of an element

Polonium, Po
a. Write down the equation?

Rn Po + He

b. How many neutrons, protons and electrons in an atom Po

p = 84 n = 134 e = 84

9 A nitrogen nucleus is bombarded with another particle as shown in the equation

below?

N + He O + X

(a) Name the particle used to bombard the nitrogen nucleus?

α

(b) Determine the nucleon number and the proton umber of X

Nucleon number = 1 proton number = 1

10 (a) Describe the difference in structure between H, H and H.

same proton number with different nucleon number

b) Name the isotopes

H : hidrogen H: deuterium H: tritium

(c ) Is there any difference in chemical properties ?. Give reason for your answer

No, all have same number of protons

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11 Radium was one of the first substances known to show the property of radioactive decay. Radium has
along half-life

(a) What is meant by radioactive decay?

Unstable nucleus decays to become more stable nucleus.

(b) What is meant by half-life?

Time taken for aradioactive substance to become half of the initial activity.

12 Diagram below is part of the decay curve for a sample of a radioactive isotope.

(a) What is meant by isotope?

Same proton number but different nucleon number

(b) Based on Diagram

(i) Determine the activity at the first half-life of the isotope.

400 counts per min

(ii) Complete the curve up to 15 minute.

800
(ii)

400

200
100

5 10 15
(c) Reading decreases
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13. Using the table below answer the following question.

Radioactive isotope Half-life

Strontium-90 28 years
Radium-226 1602 years
Iodine-128 2 minutes

(a) If the samples of strontium-90 and radium-226 both had the same activity now.
Which would have the lower activity in 10 years time.

strontium

(b) (i) If the activity of iodine is 400 count/min what would be the activity after 6
minutes ?

50 count/min

(ii) What is the time taken if the activity of iodine left is only 12.5 count/min?

10 minutes

5.3 A student is able to:

5.3.1 define radioisotopes.

5.3.2 name examples of radioisotopes.
5.3.3 describe applications of radioisotopes.

Answer the questions below:

1. The nuclei of an element that has the same proton number but different nucleon number
are called as isotope.

2. Radioisotopes are unstable nuclei which decay and emits radioactive emissions such as
α particles, β particles or γ rays.

3. Give 3 examples of radioisotopes and name the possible radioactive emission.

carbon – 14 β
Cobalt – 60 β and γ
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Iodine – 123 γ

4 The top part of the diagram shows a section of steel plates which have been welded edge
to edge at A, B and C, to make a large steel sheet. A gamma ray source was placed on
one side of the sheet, pointing towards gamma ray detector on the other side. As the
source and detector were moved together along the steel sheet the output of the detector
was measured and the detector output is shown in the lower part of the diagram.

(a) Explain what the detector output tells the engineer who did the welding about the
joints at A, B and C.

Welding at joint A and B are perfect but joint C is imperfect.

(b) Explain how this procedure provides useful information about the steel sheet.

The steel plate is of uniform thickness except the welding at joint C

5 The thickness of paper can be checked by putting a radioactive source on one side of the
paper and a detector on the other side.

(a) Explain why α and γ, sources are not suitable.

α is not suitable because it can be stopped by the paper/low penetration

power and the detector cannot detect any radiation.

γ is not suitable because it has very high penetrating power / dangerous.

(b) How would the amount of α radiation passing through the paper be changed if the
thickness of the paper increased?

decreases
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(c) In such an experiment it was found that the number of counts per minute varied
even when the thickness of the paper was unchanged. Explain this observation.

- The distance between the detector and the source is getting further

6 In a paper mill, paper pulp is squeezed between rollers to form a paper strip.

The pressure of the rollers is controlled by a signal from a radiation detector as shown
radiation in the diagram. A radioactive source is placed on the paper opposite side of the
paper to the detector.
Suggest how this arrangement produces paper of uniform thickness.
Explain why the radioactive source has to be handled with care.

Fill in the blank

If the radiation detector displays the same reading that is the expected reading when the
paper strip passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is uniform.

If the radiation detector displays higher than the expected reading when the paper strip
passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is lower.

If the radiation detector displays lower than the expected reading when the paper strip
passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is higher.

5.4 A student is able to:

5.4.1 define atomic mass unit (a.m.u.).
5.4.2 describe nuclear fission.
5.4.3 give examples of nuclear fission.
5.4.4 describe chain reactions.
5.5.5 describe nuclear fusion.
5.4.6 give examples of nuclear fusion.
5.4.7 relate the release of energy in a nuclear reaction with a change of mass according
to the equation E = mc 2 .
5.4.8 describe the generation of electricity from nuclear fission.
5.4.9 justify the use of nuclear fission in the generation of electricity.
5.5.10 solve problems involving nuclear energy.
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1 1 a.m.u is defined as of the mass of a carbon-12 atom.

2 1 a.m.u is equal to 1.66 x 10-27 kg .

3 Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavier nucleus into lighter nucleus.

4 Nuclear fusion is the combining of light nuclei to form a heavy nucleus.

5 Table 1 and 2 shows nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

Nuclear fission

Before reaction After reaction

Equation
+
Total atomic mass 240.06082 a.m.u 239.85830 a.m.u

TABLE 1

Table 2 shows an equation of a reaction and total atomic mass before and after a nuclear fusion.

Nuclear fusion

Before reaction After reaction

Equation
+

Total atomic mass 5.03013 a.m.u 5.01043 a.m.u

a Compare and contrast fission reaction and fusion reaction.

Similarities
i produces energy
ii has mass defect

Differences
i heavy nucleus split to lighter nucleus
light nucleus form heavier nucleus

ii causes chain reaction and fusion does not cause chain reaction
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b. Find the mass defect of one nucleus of plutonium-239

240.06082 - 239.85830 = 0.20252 a.m.u

1.66 x 10-27 x0.20252 = 3.36 x 10-28 kg.

c. Calculate the energy released in the nuclear reaction.

(The velocity of light is 3  108 m s-1 and 1 amu is 1.66 X 10-27kg)
E = mc2
= 3.36 x 10-28 X (3 X 108)2
= 3.024 X 10-11 J

6 Using nuclear fission to generate electricity causes is controversial.

State two advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear energy to generate electricity.

Advantage
i. Does not emit harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide.
ii. Uses less fuel than power station which burn fossil fuels.

Disadvantage

i Very high initial cost.

ii Can be dangerous if careful precautions are not taken.

5.5 A student is able to:

.
5.5.1 describe the negative effects of radioactive substances.
5.5.2 describe safety precautions needed in the handling of radioactive substances.
5.5.3 describe the management of radioactive waste

Fill in the blank

1 Radioactive emissions are extremely dangerous to living organisms. The ionisation effect
of radiation can cause genetic damage to the molecules of the cells.

2 Effect of radiation can be categorised into two that is somatic effect and genetic effect.
Explain the difference and name the symptoms.

Somatic effect appears in the person exposed to radiation.

Symptoms – Fatigue, nausea, hair loss, leukemia, and organ failure.

Genetic effect affects the reproductive cells

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Symptoms – birth defect, premature death and cancer at later stage

3. Mutu is carrying out an activity using solid and liquid radioactive source.The radioactive
sources have long half lives. Among the apparatus used are forcep, rubber gloves, plastic
tray and apron.
a). What are the precautionary procedure that need to be observed during the activity.
Wear the apron and rubber glove at all time.
Use the forcep to handle the solid source.
The activities involving the liquid radioactive source must be carried in a
plastic tray so that does not spill.
(other related answers)

b). Describe what steps should Mutu take after the activity to ensure his own safety and
the safety of other users of the laboratory.

Dispose the rubber glove by following the correct procedure.

Wash the forcep and the plastic tray thoroughly.
Store the radioactive source in a lead box and lock them in a cupboard.
Wash hands.
(other related answers)