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A* Level GCSE Physics Radioactivity Quiz

1. A radioactive sample has mass of 64g with a half-life of 3 days. On day 15, an additional 32g of the same isotope is added. What will be the total mass remaining after 24 days from the start?

6g
8g
10g
12g

2. A source produces alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. The radiation passes through a magnetic field going into the page. Which statement correctly describes the deflection?

Alpha deflects left, beta right, gamma straight
Alpha deflects right, beta left, gamma straight
Alpha and beta deflect right, gamma straight
Alpha and beta deflect left, gamma straight

3. Calculate the number of half-lives that have passed if a sample's activity drops from 256Bq to 6Bq. Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

5.2
5.4
5.6
5.8

4. Consider the decay equation: ²³⁸U → ²³⁴Th + X. After three more alpha decays and two beta decays, what is the mass number of the final isotope?

222
224
226
228

5. A Geiger counter records 400 counts/minute at 10cm from a source, and background radiation is 40 counts/minute. What is the true count rate at 40cm from the source in counts/second?

0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0

6. A radioactive source initially contains 3 different isotopes: A (half-life 1 day), B (half-life 2 days), and C (half-life 4 days). Initially they have equal activities. After 4 days, what is the ratio of their activities A:B:C?

1:2:4
1:2:2
1:4:8
1:4:4

7. If 5mm of lead reduces gamma radiation intensity to 25% of its original value, what thickness will reduce it to 1% assuming exponential decay?

10mm
15mm
20mm
25mm

8. A uranium-238 nucleus undergoes alpha decay followed by two beta decays. What is the change in atomic number from the parent to final nucleus?

Decrease by 2
No change
Increase by 2
Decrease by 4

9. A radioactive source is placed 1m from a detector. The count rate halves when a 2cm thickness of material X is placed between them. What thickness of material X would reduce the count rate to 3% of the original?

10cm
12cm
14cm
16cm

10. During β⁻ decay, an antineutrino is emitted along with the beta particle. Why is this necessary?

To conserve mass
To conserve charge
To conserve energy and momentum
To maintain atomic number