1

CHAPTER 5
RADIOACTIVITY
5.1 Understanding the nucleus of an atom

[ / 9 x 100 = .. % ]

A student is able to
5.1.1 describe the composition of the nucleus of an atom in terms of protons and neutrons.
5.1.2 define proton number (Z) and nucleon number (A).
5.1.3 explain the term nuclide
A
5.1.4 use the nuclide notation Z X
1

A nuclide is an atom of a particular structure

A
Z

A nucleus for element X is represented by

What does A , Z and X represent?

A: ____________________
2

Z:___________________

X: __________________

Below are the symbols for five nuclides

222
86

Rn

218
84

Po

235
92

141
56

Ba

92
36

Kr

Which of the above nuclides contains. [6 M]

a)

The most number of nucleon

___________________________________________________________________

b)

The least number of nucleon

___________________________________________________________________

c)

The most number of protons

___________________________________________________________________

d)

The least number of protons

___________________________________________________________________

e)

The most number of neutrons

___________________________________________________________________

f)

The least number of neutrons.

___________________________________________________________________
5.2 Analysing radioactive decay
[ / 52 x 100 = .. % ]

2
A student is able to:
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
5.2.5

state what radioactivity is.

name common detectors for radioactive emissions.
compare the 3 kinds of radioactive emissions in terms of their nature.
explain what radioactive decay is.
use equations to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when particles are
emitted.
5.2.6 explain half -life.
5.2.7 determine half-life from a decay curve.
5.2.8 solve problems involving half -life.
Fill in the blank.
1

Radioactivity is the spontaneous and _________________ emission of radioactive rays

from an__________________ nucleus to become ___________________ nucleus.

2
Name of detectors

Particles or rays detected, , or .

Geiger Muller Tube (GM Tube)

Spark Counter
Gold leaf electroscope
Photographic plate
3

Radioactive substances may emit alpha, beta and gamma radiation .Fill in the
table to describe the characteristics of the three kinds of radiation. [6 M]
Types of radiation
Nature
Ionising effect
Penetration

Helium nuclei
Moderate
High

The equation below represents a nuclear reaction. What is the value of P,Q,R,S,T and U.
[6 M]
1
4
P
2
i
+

+ Q He + energy
1H
0
1H

P : ___________________
234
S

Th

ii

R
91

Q : __________________________

Pa

0
1

R : ___________________
iii

214
82

Pb

T
U

Bi

S : __________________________
+

T : ___________________
5

0
1

U : __________________________

Show in the diagram below how , and

(i)

are affected in

electric field . [ 3M]

Positive plate (+)

Negative plate (-)

Radioactive source
(ii)

and magnetic field. [3 M]

Radioactive source

Magnetic field into

the paper

Diagram shows a cloud chamber.

When a radioactive source is placed inside the chamber . The radiation produced passes
through the vapour thus forming tracks in the dense alcohol vapour due to the condensation
of the alcohol vapour on the ions formed. These tracks are seen through the transparent
plastic lid.
Fill in the balnks and complete the tracks produced and the nature of tracks in the table below
to show the detection of different types of radiation by the cloud chamber. [6 M]

Type of
radiation

Tracks produced

Nature of tracks
1. Tracks are .. because of bigger
mass .

- Particles

2. Tracks are .................because of strong ionising

effect.

Particles

1. Tracks are twisted and thinner

2. Easily collides with the vapour
molecule
3. Less ionizing effect compare with
alpha particles

1. Track are short,. and irregular

- rays

2. - rays have the lowest

effect
3. . penetrating power.

The arrangement of the apparatus is used to study the type of radioactive

radiation emitted by a radioactive source.

Absorber

Air

Paper

Aluminium 3 mm

Lead 10 cm

Rate meter
reading

120

119

50

50
Table

below shows the result of the study.

What type of radiation is emitted by the radioactive source ? Why ?

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
8

222

A nucleus of radioactive isotope 86Rn emits an - particles when it decays to a

nucleus of an element Polonium, Po. [4M]
a.

Write down the equation?

b. How many neutrons, protons and electrons are there in a Po atom ?

n :__________________
9

p :__________________ e:___________________

A nitrogen nucleus is bombarded with another particle as shown in the equation

below.

14
7

(a )

4
2

He

18
8

Name the particle used to bombard the nitrogen nucleus?

___________________________________________________________________________

(b) Determine the nucleon number and the proton number of

X.

___________________________________________________________________________
10 (a) Describe the difference in structure between
H and 1
1 H ,
1
___________________________________________________________________________
1

H.

(b) Name the isotopes

1
1

H : _____________

2
1

H: ____________

3
1

H: ___________

(c) Is there any difference in chemical properties ?. Give reason for your answer
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
11 Radium was one of the first substances known to show the property of radioactive
decay. Radium has along half-life
(a) What is meant by radioactive decay?
____________________________________________________________________
(b) What is meant by half-life?
_____________________________________________________________________
12 Diagram below is part of the decay curve for a sample of a radioactive isotope.
Half life of the isotope is 5 minute. [4M]

(a) What is meant by isotope?

______________________________________________________________________
(b) Based on Diagram
(i)

Determine the activity at the 1st half-life of the isotope.

_______________________________________________________________________

(ii)

Complete the curve at the diagram above up to 15 minutes.

(c) Predict what happen to the reading if the distance between detector and
the source increases?
___________________________________________________________________________
13 Using the table below answer the following question.
Radioactive isotope
Strontium-90
Radium-226
Iodine-128

Half-life
28 years
1602 years
2 minutes

(a) If the samples of strontium-90 and radium-226 both has the same activity now
Which would have the lower activity in 10 years time. [3M]
___________________________________________________________________________
(b) i)

If the activity of iodine is 400 count/min what would be the activity after 6 minutes

___________________________________________________________________________
ii)
count/min ?

What is the time taken if the activity of iodine left is only 12.5

___________________________________________________________________________

5.3 Understanding the uses of Radioisotopes

[ / 19 x 100 = .. % ]

A student is able to:

5.3.1
5.3.2
5.3.3

define radioisotopes.
name examples of radioisotopes.
describe applications of radioisotopes.

Answer the questions below:

1.

The nuclei of an element that has the same proton number but
________________________ are called as ______________________.

2.

Radioisotopes are ______________________which decay and emits

__________________ emissions such as ______________ particles, ____________
particles or _________________ rays.

3.

Give 3 examples of radioisotopes and name the possible radioactive emission.

___________________, ___________________, ___________________

The top part of the diagram shows a section of steel plates which have been welded edge to
edge at A, B and C, to make a large steel sheet. A gamma ray source was placed on one
side of the sheet, pointing towards gamma ray detector on the other side. As the source and
detector were moved together along the steel sheet the output of the detector was measured
and is detector shown at monitor screen in the lower part of the output diagram.

(a) Explain what the detector output tells the engineer who did the welding about the joints
at A, B and C.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(b) Explain how this procedure provides useful information about the steel sheet.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
5

The thickness of paper can be checked by putting a radioactive source on one side of the
paper and a detector on the other side.
(a)

Explain why and , sources would not be suitable. , and

is not suitable because

____________________________________________________________________

is not suitable because

____________________________________________________________________
(b)

How would the amount of radiation passing through the paper be changed if the
thickness of the paper increased?
____________________________________________________________________

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____________________________________________________________________
(c)

In such an experiment it was found that the number of counts per minute varied even
when the thickness of the paper was unchanged. Explain this observation.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

In a paper mill, paper pulp is squeezed between rollers to form a paper strip.

The pressure of the rollers is controlled by a signal from a radiation detector as shown
radiation in the diagram. A radioactive source is placed on the paper opposite side of the
paper to the detector.
Suggest how this arrangement produces paper of uniform thickness.
Explain why the radioactive source has to be handled with care.
Fill in the blank
If the radiation detector displays the same reading that is the expected reading when the
paper strip passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is
_________________.
If the radiation detector displays higher than the expected reading when the paper strip
passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is
__________________.

11

If the radiation detector displays lower than the expected reading when the paper strip
passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is
__________________.

5.4 Understanding Nuclear Energy

[ / 12 x 100 = .. % ]

A student is able to:

5.4.1
define atomic mass unit (a.m.u.).
5.4.2
describe nuclear fission.
5.4.3
give examples of nuclear fission.
5.4.4
describe chain reactions.
5.5.5
describe nuclear fusion.
5.4.6
give examples of nuclear fusion.
5.4.7
relate the release of energy in a nuclear reaction with a change of mass
according to the equation E = mc 2 .
5.4.8
describe the generation of electricity from nuclear fission.
5.4.9
justify the use of nuclear fission in the generation of electricity.
5.5.10
solve problems involving nuclear energy.
1

1 a.m.u is defined as ______________ of the mass of a carbon-12 atom.

1 a.m.u is equals to _____________________________ kg.

Nuclear fission is the splitting of a ________________________ nucleus into

________________ nucleus.

Nuclear fusion is the combining of _________________ nuclei to form a

____________ nucleus.

Table 1 and 2 shows nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

Nuclear fission

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Before reaction
Equation
Total atomic mass

239
94

1
0

Pu +

After reaction
145
56

93
38

Ba +

240.06082 a.m.u

Sr + 2

1
0

n + Energy

239.85830 a.m.u
TABLE 1

Table 2 shows an equation of a reaction and total atomic mass before and after a nuclear
fusion.
Nuclear fusion
Before reaction
Equation
Total atomic mass

2
1

H +

3
1

After reaction
4
2

He +

1
0

n + Energy

5.01043 a.m.u

5.03013 a.m.u
TABLE 2

a)

Compare and contrast fission reaction and fusion reaction.

i).

Similarities
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

ii)

Differences
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

b)

Find the mass defect of one nucleus of plutonium-239

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c)

6.

Calculate the energy released in the nuclear reaction.

(The velocity of light is 3 108 m s-1 and 1 a.m.u is 1.66 X 10-27kg)

Using nuclear fission to generate electricity causes is controversial.

State two advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear energy to generate electricity.
a)

Advantage
i) _____________________________________________________________
ii) _____________________________________________________________

b)

Disadvantage
i) _____________________________________________________________
ii) _____________________________________________________________

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5.5 Realising the importance of proper management of radioactive substances

[ / 7 x 100 = .. % ]
A student is able to:
.
5.5.1
5.5.2
5.5.3
1

describe the negative effects of radioactive substances.

describe safety precautions needed in the handling of radioactive substances.
describe the management of radioactive waste

Radioactive emissions are extremely dangerous to living organisms. The________________

effect of radiation can cause genetic damage to the molecules of the cells.
2

Effect of radiation can be categorised into two that is somatic effect and genetic effect.
Explain the difference and name the symptoms.
a) i) Somatic effect :_________________________________________________________
ii) Symptoms :____________________________________________________________
b) i) Genetic effect :__________________________________________________________
ii) Symptoms :____________________________________________________________

3.

Mutu is carrying out an activity using solid and liquid radioactive sources. The radioactive
sources have long half lives. Among the apparatus used are forceps, rubber gloves, plastic
tray and apron.

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i).

What are the precautionary procedure that need to be observed during the
activity.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

ii). Describe what steps should Mutu take after the activity to ensure his own safety
and the safety of other users of the laboratory.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________