Edexcel GCSE Combined Science CP6 Radioactivity overview quiz quiz

A fast-moving electron flung out from the nucleus of an unstable atom

A high-energy electromagnetic wave with no mass and no electric charge

A helium nucleus (two protons and two neutrons)

A single proton ejected on its own from the nucleus during decay

Alpha

Beta

They are all equal

Gamma

A few millimetres of aluminium

A single thin sheet of ordinary writing paper

Several centimetres of thick lead or concrete

Nothing can stop it once it has been emitted

A helium nucleus made of two protons and two neutrons bound together

A fast-moving electron emitted from the nucleus

A high-energy electromagnetic wave carrying no mass or charge

A single neutron that escapes from the nucleus during decay

The time taken for every single radioactive nucleus in the sample to decay completely

The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in the sample to double

The time for half the radioactive nuclei (or the activity) to decay

Exactly half of the total mass of the radioactive sample being measured

400 Bq

100 Bq

0 Bq

200 Bq

Alpha

Beta

Gamma

They are all equal

A helium nucleus of two protons and two neutrons

A high-energy electromagnetic wave

A fast-moving electron flung out from the nucleus

A single proton ejected from the nucleus during decay

It makes nearby objects and living tissue become very cold

It has no measurable effect on the human body at all

It ionises atoms and can damage or kill cells

It only affects metal objects and never affects living tissue

Stand as close as possible to the radioactive source at all times

Increase the activity of the source so the readings are clearer

Remove all of the lead shielding from around the source

Use shielding, keep a distance, and limit the time of exposure

Sterilising medical equipment with gamma rays

Cooling food quickly so that it keeps fresh for longer

Generating loud sound waves for industrial machines

Making permanent magnets out of iron and steel bars

You can predict the exact moment at which any one chosen nucleus will decay

You cannot predict when a single nucleus will decay, only the rate for many

All of the nuclei in the sample decay together at the very same instant

Radioactive decay never actually happens in a sample left on its own