Exam-style Questions: Radioactivity
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a) What is ionising radiation?
(1 mark)
b) Why is ionising radiation dangerous to living tissue?
(1 mark)
c) Why is alpha radiation particularly dangerous if ingested?
(1 mark)
(Marks available: 3)
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The radioactive nuclide, 23992U, decays by alpha-particle emission. The newly formed nuclide X is also unstable and decays by a different radioactive emission to a third nuclide Y. Y then decays to become another isotope of uranium 23492U.
a) Explain the meaning of the term isotope.
(1 mark)
b) Write down suitable symbols in the form 23992U for
an α-particle ......................
a β-particle..........................
(2 marks)
c) Show how 23992U can become the isotope 23492U after three decays.
(3 marks)
(Marks available: 6)
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The equation shows a possible neutron-induced fission for a nucleus of plutonium-239.
How many neutrons are emitted?
number of neutrons = ...................
(1 mark)
Answer outline and marking scheme for question:
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a) Radiation capable of ionising atoms.
(1 mark)
b) The charged particles/ions produced can interfere with biological processes.
(1 mark)
c) Alpha radiation is highly ionising if inside the body it can easily damage internal tissue.
(1 mark)
(Marks available: 3)
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a) An element can exist in more than one form, having a different number of neutrons /can have different mass but same proton number / AW
(1 mark)
b) 42He / 42α ; (-) 0-1e / 0-1β
(2 marks)
c) 23892U →23492U + 42α + 0-1β + 0-1β
or 23892U→ 23490X + 42α
23490X→ 23491Y + 0-1β
23491Y→23492U + 0-1β
(3 marks)
(Marks available: 6)
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Six
(1 mark)