The Maths and Science Tutor

Email: fiaraziqbal@googlemail.com

Phone: 07760257814

Medium Level GCSE Physics Radioactivity Quiz

1. A radioactive sample has a half-life of 4 hours. If you start with 48g, how much will remain after 12 hours?

24g
12g
6g
3g

2. In a nuclear equation, what does ⁴₂He represent?

Beta particle
Alpha particle
Gamma ray
Neutron

3. What happens to the atomic number of an element after beta decay?

Decreases by 2
Increases by 1
Decreases by 1
Stays the same

4. A Geiger counter records 1200 counts in 1 minute. If background radiation is 20 counts per minute, what is the true count rate in counts per second?

19.67
20
1180
1200

5. Which combination of properties correctly describes gamma radiation?

High ionizing, high penetrating, particles
Low ionizing, low penetrating, waves
Low ionizing, high penetrating, waves
High ionizing, low penetrating, particles

6. A source initially has 640 unstable nuclei. After 40 minutes, 80 nuclei remain. What is the half-life?

10 minutes
20 minutes
13.3 minutes
40 minutes

7. Why is alpha radiation particularly dangerous if ingested but relatively safe externally?

It is highly penetrating inside the body
It has high ionizing power and deposits all energy in a small area
It becomes more radioactive inside the body
It reacts with stomach acid

8. What thickness of lead would reduce gamma radiation intensity to 25% of its original value if 2mm of lead reduces it to 50%?

3mm
4mm
6mm
8mm

9. During which nuclear decay does the mass number remain unchanged but the atomic number increase by 1?

Alpha decay
Beta decay
Gamma emission
Neutron emission

10. Why is background radiation higher in Cornwall than in most other parts of the UK?

More nuclear power stations
Higher altitude
Granite rocks containing radioactive materials
Closer to the equator