Physics - 4PH1 PearsonEdexcel

Radioactivity

Gbogbo ọrọ náà

Every second, invisible particles and waves pass through your body. Some come from the ground beneath your feet, others from space, and a few from the food you eat. Understanding radioactivity means understanding where this radiation comes from, what it can do, and how we harness it safely in medicine and industry.

This topic takes you inside the atom, through the three types of nuclear radiation, and into the mathematics of half-life. You will learn to write decay equations, compare the penetrating and ionising powers of alpha, beta and gamma radiation, and evaluate the real risks and benefits of working with radioactive materials.

Ebumnobi

Describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons and use symbols to describe particular nuclei
Know the terms atomic (proton) number, mass (nucleon) number and isotope
Know that alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays are ionising radiations emitted from unstable nuclei in a random process
Describe the nature of alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays, and recall that they may be distinguished in terms of penetrating power and ability to ionise
Investigate the penetration powers of different types of radiation using either radioactive sources or simulations
Describe the effects on the atomic and mass numbers of a nucleus of the emission of each of the four main types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma and neutron radiation)
Understand how to balance nuclear equations in terms of mass and charge
Know that photographic film or a Geiger-Muller detector can detect ionising radiations
Explain the sources of background (ionising) radiation from Earth and space
Know that the activity of a radioactive source decreases over a period of time and is measured in becquerels
Know the definition of the term 'half-life' and understand that it is different for different radioactive isotopes
Use the concept of the half-life to carry out simple calculations on activity, including graphical methods
Describe uses of radioactivity in industry and medicine
Describe the difference between contamination and irradiation
Describe the dangers of ionising radiations, including that radiation can cause mutations in living organisms, that radiation can damage cells and tissue, and the problems arising from the disposal of radioactive waste and how the associated risks can be reduced

Akọmọ Ojú-ẹkọ

A granite worktop, a bunch of bananas, even the carbon in your own bones - all contain atoms whose nuclei are quietly breaking apart. Radioactivity is not confined to power stations and hospitals. It is a natural process that has been going on since the elements formed, and learning how it works is the key to using it safely.

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Ayẹwo Ẹkọ

Ekele diri gi maka imecha ihe karịrị na Radioactivity. Ugbu a na ị na-enyochakwa isi echiche na echiche ndị dị mkpa, ọ bụ oge iji nwalee ihe ị ma. Ngwa a na-enye ụdị ajụjụ ọmụmụ dị iche iche emebere iji kwado nghọta gị wee nyere gị aka ịmata otú ị ghọtara ihe ndị a kụziri.

Ị ga-ahụ ngwakọta nke ụdị ajụjụ dị iche iche, gụnyere ajụjụ chọrọ ịhọrọ otu n’ime ọtụtụ azịza, ajụjụ chọrọ mkpirisi azịza, na ajụjụ ede ede. A na-arụpụta ajụjụ ọ bụla nke ọma iji nwalee akụkụ dị iche iche nke ihe ọmụma gị na nkà nke ịtụgharị uche.

Jiri akụkụ a nke nyocha ka ohere iji kụziere ihe ị matara banyere isiokwu ahụ ma chọpụta ebe ọ bụla ị nwere ike ịchọ ọmụmụ ihe ọzọ. Ekwela ka nsogbu ọ bụla ị na-eche ihu mee ka ị daa mba; kama, lee ha anya dị ka ohere maka ịzụlite onwe gị na imeziwanye.

Which type of radiation is the most ionising? A) Alpha B) Beta C) Gamma D) X-rays Answer: A
What is the charge on a beta particle? A) +2 B) +1 C) 0 D) -1 Answer: D
A radioactive source has a half-life of 4 hours. After 12 hours, what fraction of the original activity remains? A) 1/4 B) 1/8 C) 1/16 D) 1/3 Answer: B
Which type of radiation is stopped by a few millimetres of aluminium? A) Alpha B) Beta C) Gamma D) Neutron Answer: B
In beta decay, what happens inside the nucleus? A) A proton changes into a neutron B) A neutron changes into a proton and an electron C) Two protons and two neutrons are emitted D) Energy is released as an electromagnetic wave Answer: B