A LevelPhysicsAQAExam QuestionsNuclear PhysicsAlpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation

Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation (AQA A Level Physics): Exam Questions

Exam code: 7408

3 hours32 questions

Select a download format for Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation

Scroll for more

Select an answer set to view for
Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation

Easy
Medium
Hard
1
1 mark

Radiation can be both useful and dangerous. Some contributors to background radiation include rocks and soil, medical uses and internal processes.

q1-8-1-mcq-alpha-beta-gamma-radiation

Which of the following is not a major contributor to background radiation?

  • Cosmic rays

  • Isotopes in food & drink

  • Fallout from testing nuclear devices

  • Buildings

Choose your answer

2
1 mark

β particles emitted from a radioactive source are

  • stopped by a sheet of aluminium

  • stopped by a sheet of paper

  • not deflected by magnetic fields

  • not damaging to human cells

Choose your answer

3
1 mark

In the Rutherford scattering experiment, most particles passed through the gold foil undeflected.

What is a valid conclusion from this observation?

  • The charge of the atom is neutral

  • The nucleus has a positive charge

  • Most of the mass of an atom is within the nucleus

  • The diameter of the nucleus is much less than the diameter of the atom

Choose your answer

4
1 mark

Which expression correctly describes the inverse square law of gamma radiation?

  • I space equals space k x

  • I space equals space k over x

  • I space equals space k x squared

  • I space equals space k over x squared

Choose your answer

5
1 mark

The results of Rutherford's scattering experiment led to

  • the quark model of hadrons

  • the discovery of the electron

  • evidence for wave–particle duality

  • the discovery of the nucleus

Choose your answer

6
1 mark

From Rutherford's alpha particle scattering experiment, it was concluded that

  • the atom is a uniform sphere of positive charge with electrons embedded in it

  • electrons orbit the nucleus in fixed energy levels

  • the atom contains a small, dense, positively charged nucleus

  • the nucleus contains equal numbers of protons and neutrons

Choose your answer

7
1 mark

Which row correctly ranks the three types of nuclear radiation by ionising power and by penetrating ability?

Ionising power (highest to lowest)

Penetrating ability (most to least penetrating)

A

α, β, γ

α, β, γ

B

γ, β, α

γ, β, α

C

γ, β, α

α, β, γ

D

α, β, γ

γ, β, α

    Choose your answer

    1
    1 mark

    An isotope of thorium which has a nucleon number of 230 and a proton number of 90 undergoes a series of radioactive decays.

    Which row shows the nucleon number and proton number of the isotope after the emission of 4 alpha (α) particles and 2 beta-minus (β–) particles?

     

    new nucleon number

    new proton number

    A

    B

    C

    D

    214

    222

    222

    214

    84

    84

    82

    82

      Choose your answer

      2
      1 mark

      In an experiment to investigate the structure of the atom, alpha particles accelerated to the same speed were fired at gold nuclei.

      The diagrams below represent possible paths taken by two alpha particles at two different times and the maximum forces acting on the alpha particles as a result of the electrostatic forces between a gold nucleus, labelled Au, and the alpha particles.

      Which diagram best represents the possible paths of the alpha particles and the forces acting on them?

      q7-8-1-mcq-alpha-beta-gamma-radiation

        Choose your answer

        3
        1 mark

        A Geiger counter is placed near a radioactive source and different materials are placed between the source and the Geiger counter.

        The results of the tests are shown in the table.

        Material

        Count rate of Geiger counter / s–1

        None

        500

        Paper

        350

        Aluminium foil

        350

        Thick steel

        150

        What type of radiation is emitted by the source?

        • α only

        • α and γ

        • α and β

        • β and γ

        Choose your answer

        4
        1 mark

        A detector and counter are used to measure the count rate from a gamma source.

        Which graph shows how the corrected count rate will vary with distance, d, between the source and detector?

        ma9-8-1-mcq-alpha-beta-gamma-radiation

          Choose your answer

          5
          1 mark

          The diagram below shows an arrangement used to maintain a constant thickness of sheet paper or steel as it is being rolled. A radioactive source and detector are used to monitor the thickness.

          q10-8-1-mcq-alpha-beta-gamma-radiation

          Alpha, beta or gamma sources could be selected for use in such an arrangement.

          Which source would be the most suitable in each case?

           

          Paper

          Steel

          A

          B

          C

          D

          alpha

          beta

          alpha

          beta

          beta

          alpha

          gamma

          gamma

            Choose your answer

            6
            1 mark

            Which type of radiation is the most suitable for the following purposes?

             

            In a smoke detector

            As a medical tracer

            Monitoring thickness of aluminium foil

            Testing for cracks in pipes

            A

            B

            C

            D

            alpha

            beta

            alpha

            alpha

            beta

            gamma

            beta

            gamma

            gamma

            gamma

            beta

            beta

            alpha

            gamma

            alpha

            gamma

              Choose your answer

              1
              1 mark

              In an α–particle scattering experiment, a student set up the apparatus, as shown in the diagram below, to determine the number n of α–particles incident per unit time on a detector held at various angles θ.

              q12-1-8-1-mcq-alpha-beta-gamma-radiation

              Which of the following graphs best represents the variation of n with θ?

              q12-2-8-1-mcq-alpha-beta-gamma-radiation

                Choose your answer

                2
                1 mark

                A student detects the counts from a radioactive source using a G–M radiation detector as shown in the diagram. The student places the source at different distances, d, and measures the count rate.

                q13-8-1-mcq-alpha-beta-gamma-radiation

                When the detector is placed 0.50 m the source, it receives a mean count rate of 1750 counts per minute. The mean background radiation is measured as 70 counts per minute.

                The count rate should not exceed 5000 counts per minute.

                What is the smallest distance of d the source can be placed at to avoid exceeding the limit?

                • 4 cm

                • 6 cm

                • 9 cm

                • 29 cm

                Choose your answer

                3
                1 mark

                A γ ray detector with a cross–sectional area of 5.0 × 10–3 m2 is placed 0.20 m from a source.

                A corrected count rate of 1.2 counts s–1 is recorded. The γ ray detector detects 1 in 100 of the γ photons incident on the facing surface of the detector.

                How many photons are produced by the source every second?

                Assume the source emits γ rays uniformly in all directions.

                • 1.2

                • 2400

                • 3000

                • 12 000

                Choose your answer

                4
                1 mark

                Polythene film is made by extruding polythene and drawing it into a long sheet which is wound onto a roll, as shown in the diagram below.

                q15-8-1-mcq-alpha-beta-gamma-radiation

                The manufacturer has to carefully choose a radioactive isotope which will effectively remove any electrostatic charge that has built up on the film. The manufacturer also has to consider the point X, Y or Z at which the radioactive isotope should be placed along the assembly line.

                Which point should the radioactive be placed at, and which type of radiation should the manufacturer choose to remove excess electrostatic charge?

                 

                Point

                Type of radiation

                A

                B

                C

                D

                X

                X

                Y

                Z

                alpha

                gamma

                beta

                alpha

                  Choose your answer

                  5
                  1 mark

                  A scientist is working with a sample of potassium-42 which initially has an activity of 2.0 × 107 decays per second. When potassium-42 decays it emits β– particles and gamma rays.

                  To determine the dose received by a scientist working with the source the number of gamma ray photons incident on each cm2 of the body has to be known.

                  One in every five of the decaying nuclei produces a gamma ray photon. The scientist is initially working 1.50 m from the source with no shielding.

                  The scientist returns 12 hours later to find the dose at the same distance has reduced to 7 gamma rays per cm2 per second.

                  At what distance from the source could the scientist now work and receive the same dose of photons per second per cm2 as 12 hours earlier?

                  • 1.30 m

                  • 1.20 m

                  • 1.10 m

                  • 1.00 m

                  Choose your answer