IB Physics SL E.3.10 Radiation Penetration and Ionization

Practise comparing alpha, beta and gamma radiation by ionizing ability, range and shielding, then selecting a suitable detector or source for a stated application or hazard.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
—
Level
SL

Exam points

  • rank alpha as most ionizing and least penetrating, with gamma the reverse and beta intermediate
  • match alpha to paper or skin, beta to thin metal and gamma attenuation to dense thick shielding
  • evaluate internal and external hazards by combining ionization, range and whether radiation enters the body

E.3.10—Radiation penetration and ionization question 1

[Maximum number: 4]

An experiment is carried out to determine the count rate, corrected for background radiation, when different thicknesses of copper are placed between a radioactive source and a detector. The graph shows the variation of corrected count rate with copper thickness.

Figure for Question E.3.10—Radiation penetration and ionization question 1 — IB Physics SL

Further results were obtained in this experiment with copper and lead absorbers.

Table for Question E.3.10—Radiation penetration and ionization question 1 — IB Physics SL

Comment on the radiation detected from this radioactive source.

All question bank results loaded