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Atomic, nuclear and space physics
Quick questions on Half-life and radioactive decay - CCEA GCSE Physics
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the decay curve?Show answer
A graph of activity (or count rate) against time gives a decay curve that falls steeply at first and then levels off, never quite reaching zero.
What is calculating remaining activity?Show answer
To find the activity after a whole number of half-lives, halve the starting value once for each half-life. After half-lives the activity is of the original.
What is q1?Show answer
Define half-life. [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
A source of activity has a half-life of hours. Find its activity after hours. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Why must background radiation be subtracted from a count rate? [1 mark]
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