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Radioactivity - Atoms and Radiation
Gamma radiation would not be blocked by a thin sheet of aluminium.

Radioactivity - Atoms and Radiation

In GCSE Physics you explore radioactivity, learning how unstable nuclei emit radiation, how we detect it in the lab, and how to manage risks from everyday background radiation.

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Fascinating Fact:

Background radiation comes from natural sources, such as rocks and cosmic rays, and from human activities like medical uses and nuclear power.

In GCSE Physics, you learn that some atomic nuclei are unstable and give out radiation. You explore how alpha, beta and gamma radiation are emitted, detected and used safely in real life.

Key Terms

  • Radioactive decay: The random process where an unstable nucleus emits radiation and changes into a different nucleus.
  • Half-life: The time it takes for the activity of a radioactive sample to fall to half its original value.
  • Ionising radiation: Radiation that has enough energy to remove electrons from atoms, creating ions and potentially damaging cells.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is radioactivity in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics, radioactivity is the emission of particles or energy from unstable atomic nuclei. These nuclei decay randomly, giving out alpha, beta or gamma radiation as they become more stable.

What are the main types of nuclear radiation?

The three main types are alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays. They differ in charge, mass, penetration and ionising power, so they are stopped by different materials.

How do we measure background radiation in experiments?

In school experiments, a Geiger–Müller tube and counter are used to measure background count for a set time, then this value is subtracted from readings with the radioactive source present.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .
What is background radiation due to?
Nuclear fallout
Rocks
Cosmic rays
All of the above
Cosmic rays account for most of the background radiation that we experience, however the other types can be major factors in specific areas
2 .
What is an alpha particle?
A particle which has one neutron and one proton
A proton
A neutron
A particle which has two neutrons and two protons
It is the nucleus of a helium atom
3 .
What is a beta particle?
A low energy electron
A high energy proton
A high energy electron
A low energy proton
Higher tier candidates may be asked to balance the atomic numbers and mass numbers in an equation showing what happens to an atom when it undergoes radioactive decay to produce an alpha or beta particle
4 .
What is gamma radiation?
A form of electromagnetic radiation
An electron
A proton
A neutron
It is the highest energy radiation of the electromagnetic spectrum
5 .
Which type of radiation would be blocked by a thin sheet of paper?
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
None of the above
Alpha radiation also struggles to penetrate more than a few centimetres through the air
6 .
Which type of radiation would be blocked by a thin sheet of aluminium - but not by paper?
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
They all get blocked
These fast-moving electrons are much smaller than alpha particles
7 .
Which type of radiation would be blocked by several inches of lead - but not by a thin sheet of aluminium or paper?
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
Beta and Gamma
In nuclear reactors at nuclear power stations, gamma radiation is blocked from escaping by several metres of concrete
8 .
What types of radiation can be deflected by electric and magnetic fields?
Alpha
Alpha and Beta
Alpha and Gamma
Beta and Gamma
Gamma radiation has no electrostatic charge
9 .
What is the half-life of a radioactive isotope?
The time it takes to be deadly to humans
The number of isotopes in a sample
The average time it takes for the number of nuclei of the isotope in a sample to halve
The time it takes for the isotope in a sample to decrease by a quarter
This is why the count rate falls by half during one half life. It can be used to calculate how long it will take for the radiation from a particular sample of radioactive substance to drop to a safe level
10 .
Which radiation is deflected more by electric and magnetic fields?
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
None are deflected
Alpha particles are deflected less, despite having a greater charge, due to having a much greater mass than beta particles. They are deflected in opposite directions as they have opposite charges
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - The dangers and uses of radiation

Author:  Martin Moore
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