CAIE IGCSE Physics 5.2.2 The Three Types of Nuclear Emission Topic Practice

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Covered syllabus points

5.2.2.1—Emission of radiation from a nucleus5.2.2.2—Alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ)5.2.2.3—Deflection of α-particles, β-particles5.2.2.4—Their relative ionising effects with

Question 1

[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:

232725242025\begin{array}{llllll} 23 & 27 & 25 & 24 & 20 & 25 \end{array}

State why the readings are not all identical.

Question 2

[Maximum number: 3]

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

Suggest which radioactive emission, alpha, beta or gamma, is suitable for detecting the leak in the water pipe.

Explain your answer.
emission
explanation

Question 3

[Maximum number: 4]

The isotope thallium-208 (81208 Tl)\left({ }_{81}^{208} \mathrm{~T} l\right) is radioactive. It decays by β\beta-decay.

Question (a)

(a)

Thallium-208 decays to an isotope of lead (Pb).

[ 1 ]

Question (i)

(i)

The β\beta-emission of thallium-208 is accompanied by γ\gamma-emission from the nucleus.

Explain why this γ\gamma-emission does not affect the numbers in the equation in (a)(i).

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

A sample of thallium-208 is placed in a thick lead container. Fig. 8.1 shows a narrow beam of β\beta-particles and γ\gamma-radiation emerging from a small hole in one side of the container.

Fig. 8.1

Fig. 8.1

The narrow beam enters a region where there is a magnetic field that is directed into the page.
On Fig. 8.1:
- draw a line labelled β\beta to indicate the path of the β\beta-particles in the magnetic field
- draw a line labelled γ\gamma to indicate the path of the γ\gamma-radiation in the magnetic field.

[ 3 ]
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