RADIOACTVITY

END OF UNIT TEST 2023

Name: ___________________________

Set: _______

Marks:
Q Max Score
1 6
2 7
3 2
4 11
5 9
Total 35
%
Questions
Q1.

(a) Which statement describes the term atomic number for a nucleus?
(1)
A number of electrons in the nucleus
B number of neutrons in the nucleus
C number of protons in the nucleus
D number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus

(b) Which statement describes the term mass number for a nucleus?
(1)
A number of electrons in the nucleus
B number of neutrons in the nucleus
C number of protons in the nucleus
D number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus

(c) Which statement describes the term isotopes?

(1)
A atoms with the same number of electrons but a different number of protons
B atoms with the same number of neutrons but a different number of electrons
C atoms with the same number of neutrons but a different number of protons
D atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons

(d) An atom contains 8 protons, 8 neutrons and 8 electrons.

Which of these would result in a negatively charged ion of the same element?
(1)
A adding an electron
B adding a proton
C removing an electron
D removing a proton

(e) It is not possible to predict exactly when a radioactive nucleus will decay.
Which feature of radioactive decay best explains this observation?
(1)
A radioactive decay can change the structure of the nucleus
B radioactive decay happens at random
C radioactive decay is irreversible
D radioactive decay makes a nucleus more stable

(f) Which of these is the correct unit for measuring the activity of a radioactive sample?
(1)
A becquerel (Bq)
B coulomb (C)
C joule (J)
D watt (W)

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q2.

A teacher does an investigation to determine the half-life of a radioactive source.

(a) The radioactive source emits particles of radiation that are negatively charged.
Name the type of radiation emitted by this source.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
(b) This is the teacher's method.

· measure the count rate in the room

· bring the radioactive source into the room
· measure the count rate from the radioactive source every two hours
· to determine the corrected count rate, subtract the count rate in the room from each count rate
measured from the radioactive source
· plot a graph of corrected count rate against time
· use the graph to determine the half-life of the radioactive source
(i) Give a reason why the teacher measures the count rate in the room before bringing the radioactive
source into the room.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

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(ii) State the dependent variable in the teacher's investigation.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(c) The graph shows the teacher's results.

(i) A different radioactive source has the same initial corrected count rate but a shorter half-life.
Sketch another line on the graph to show how the corrected count rate of this different source
changes with time.
(2)
 (ii) State what is meant by the term half-life.
(2)
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(Total for question = 7 marks)

Q3.

(a) Bismuth-207 is a gamma emitter and is represented by the symbol

How many neutrons are in the nucleus of an atom of bismuth-207?

(1)
A 83
B 124
C 207
D 290

(b) Which of these gives the best description of gamma radiation?

(1)
A a helium nucleus
B a high energy electron
C a high frequency electromagnetic wave
D a subatomic particle with mass, but with no charge

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q4.

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of cobalt.

The table gives the activity of a sample of cobalt-60 over a period of 10 years.
(a) Give a suitable unit for activity.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(b) The graph shows the data.

(i) Label both axes.

(1)
(ii) Draw the curve of best fit.
(1)
(iii) Use the graph to determine the half-life of cobalt-60.
(2)

half-life = ........................................................... years

(iv) Estimate the time taken for the activity to decrease to of its initial value.
(2)

time = ........................................................... years

(c) Cobalt-60 is produced when a neutron is absorbed by the nucleus of a stable atom of cobalt-59.
The nuclei of these two isotopes can be represented as

Describe a similarity and a difference for the nuclei of these two isotopes of cobalt.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

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(d) Cobalt-60 decays by beta emission.
Describe what happens to the nucleus of a cobalt-60 atom during beta decay.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

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(Total for question = 11 marks)

Q5.

Radon is a radioactive gas that contributes to background radiation.

(a) Describe what is meant by the term background radiation.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

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(b) The graph shows the activity of a sample of radon-222.

Use the graph to determine the half-life of radon-222.
(2)

half-life = ........................................................... days

(c) Radon-222 is formed by multiple alpha decays of uranium-234.

Complete the nuclear equation by giving the missing information.
(3)

(d) Radon-222 also emits alpha radiation.

Explain the hazard to humans of breathing in air contaminated with radon-222.
(2)
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(Total for question = 9 marks)

END OF TEST TOTAL 35 MARKS