CAIE IGCSE Physics 5.2.2.1 Emission of Radiation From a Nucleus Questions

Learn why repeated radioactive count-rate readings vary and why measurements differ from predictions.

Exam points

explain why repeated radioactive count-rate readings are not identical
identify random fluctuations and measurement uncertainty in count-rate data
explain why a long-time measured count rate may differ from a predicted value

[Maximum number: 1]

A radiation detector is set up in a laboratory where there are no radioactive samples.

On six separate occasions, the detector is switched on for 1.0 minute and the background count is recorded. The counts are:

\begin{array}{llllll} 23 & 27 & 25 & 24 & 20 & 25 \end{array}

State why the readings are not all identical.

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CAIE IGCSE Physics 5.2.2.1 Emission of Radiation From a Nucleus Questions question 1