Have an account?
Skip to Content
Build your own quiz
Suggestions for you
20 questions
Show Answers
See Preview
- 1. Multiple Choice
A radioactive source emits radiation that can pass through a sheet of paper but not through thick aluminium. What does this show about the radiation?
It is alpha-particles.
It is beta-particles.
It is gamma-rays.
It is a mixture of alpha-particles and gamma-rays
- 2. Multiple Choice
Which line in the table describes the nature of an alpha-particle and a gamma-ray?
A
B
C
D
- 3. Multiple Choice
A radioactive nucleus R decays with the emission of a β-particle as shown:
Which equation is correct?
x = p
y = q
p = x – 1
q = y – 1
- 4. Multiple Choice
How many nucleons are in a nucleus of ?
19
20
39
58
- 5. Multiple Choice
The equation shows the decay of the nuclide X:
What are the values of P and Q ?
A
B
C
D
- 6. Multiple Choice
Which type of radiation has the greatest ionising effect?
α-particles
β-particles
γ-rays
all have the same ionising effect
- 7. Multiple Choice
An unstable nucleus has 145 neutrons and 92 protons. It emits a β-particle.
How many neutrons and protons does the nucleus have after emitting the β-particle?
A
B
C
D
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which particles are found in the nucleus of an atom?
neutrons and protons only
neutrons only
protons and electrons only
protons, electrons and neutrons
- 9. Multiple Choice
A Geiger counter detects radiation from radioactive sources.
A radioactive source is inside a thick aluminium container as shown:
Which type of radiation from this source is being detected?
α-particles
β-particles
γ-rays
radio waves
- 10. Multiple Choice
Which line in the table describes the nature of an α-particle and of a γ-ray?
A
B
C
D
- 11. Multiple Choice
A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 2 minutes. What can be deduced from this statement?
After 2 minutes, half of the isotope remains.
After 1 minute, half of the isotope remains.
After 4 minutes, half of the isotope remains.
After 4 minutes, none of the isotope remains.
- 12. Multiple Choice
A detector is used to measure the count-rate near a radioactive source. The reading is 4000
counts per minute. After 30 minutes the count-rate has fallen to 500 counts per minute.
What is the half-life of the radioactive source? You may ignore the effects of background
radiation.
3 minutes
5 minutes
6 minutes
10 minutes
- 13. Multiple Choice
A freshly made sample of radioactive material gives a count rate of 8000 counts per minute. After
20 days, it gives a count rate of 500 counts per minute.
What is the half-life of the material?
4.0 days
5.0 days
20 days
80 days
- 14. Multiple Choice
Between 1909 and 1911, Geiger and Marsden carried out experiments in which alpha particles
were fired at metal foil. Most of the alpha particles passed through the foil with small deflections,
but some were deflected through a large angle.
These results suggest that
atoms contain clouds of electrons through which some alpha particles cannot pass.
atoms contain neutrons that alpha particles bounce off.
atoms have positive and negative charges spread throughout their volume.
atoms have positive charges concentrated in a small volume.
- 15. Multiple Choice
A narrow beam of alpha-particles is fired at a thin piece of gold foil.
Which is the final direction of the largest number of alpha-particles?
A
B
C
D
- 16. Multiple Choice
The half-life of a radioisotope is 2400 years. The activity of a sample is 720 counts /s.
How long will it take for the activity to fall to 90 counts /s?
300 years
2400 years
7200 years
19 200 years
- 17. Multiple Choice
What occurs in the decay of a radioactive nucleus?
The nucleus absorbs another nucleus.
The nucleus absorbs at least one form of radiation.
The nucleus always splits into two equal fragments.
The nucleus emits at least one form of radiation.
- 18. Multiple Choice
A student investigates a radioactive source that emits only alpha-particles. Without any source
nearby, the detector shows a low reading. The source and thick cardboard are placed near the detector, as shown:
What is the reading on the detector now, and why?
A
B
C
D
- 19. Multiple Choice
In nuclear ……1……, hydrogen nuclei ……2…… to form helium nuclei, releasing energy.
Which words correctly complete gaps 1 and 2?
A
B
C
D
- 20. Multiple Choice
Ra decays with a half-life of 1600 s.
Rn decays with a half-life of 52 s.
Po decays with a half-life of 9.1 s.
Pb decays with a half-life of 10.6 h.
The changing count rate for one of these radioactive nuclides is shown in the graph.
From the half-life shown by the graph, which was the decaying radioactive nuclide?
Ra
Rn
Po
Pb
- Answer choicesTagsAnswer choicesTags