CAIE IGCSE Physics 5.2.1 Detection of Radioactivity Topic Practice

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Covered syllabus points

5.2.1.1—What is meant by background radiation5.2.1.2—Sources that make a significant5.2.1.3—Ionising nuclear radiation can be5.2.1.4—Count rate measured in counts/s or5.2.1.5—Measurements of background radiation

Question 1

[Maximum number: 4]

Leaks in underground water pipes are detected using radioactive tracers. Fig. 10.1 shows a radiation detector above a water pipe.

Fig. 10.1

Fig. 10.1

Question (a)

(a)

Before the radioactive tracer is added to the water, the detector measures the background radiation above the pipe. The average background radiation is 26 counts/minute.

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Define background radiation.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Suggest one source of radiation that may make a significant contribution to the background count rate.

[ 1 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

A radioactive tracer is added to the water. The counter in Fig. 10.1 shows the count rate in counts/minute above the leak in the water pipe.

Determine the count rate due to the tracer.

[ 2 ]
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