GCSE Physics Quiz - Radioactivity

1. What is radiation?

Only harmful rays from the sun
Energy that travels from a source in the form of waves or particles
Only light we can see
Only heat from hot objects

2. Which type of radiation has the lowest penetrating power?

Alpha
Beta
Gamma
X-rays

3. What is half-life?

The time it takes for all radioactive atoms to decay
The time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms to decay
The time between radiation doses
The distance radiation can travel

4. What is contamination?

When radiation passes through an object
When radioactive material gets onto or into something it shouldn't
When radiation is blocked by lead
When radiation is used in hospitals

5. What is irradiation?

When an object is exposed to radiation
When objects become radioactive
When radiation stops
When radiation starts

6. What does a Geiger counter measure?

Temperature
Light levels
Count rate of radiation
Air pressure

7. Which radiation is stopped by paper?

Beta
Gamma
Alpha
X-rays

8. Which is NOT a use of radiation?

Treating cancer
Taking X-rays
Making plants grow faster
Sterilizing medical equipment

9. What happens in radioactive decay?

Unstable atoms become stable by releasing radiation
Stable atoms become unstable
Atoms disappear completely
Atoms combine together

10. What is background radiation?

Radiation only from space
Radiation that is always naturally present in our environment
Radiation only from the ground
Radiation only from buildings

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GCSE Physics Quiz - Radioactivity