Forms of Radiation: Properties, Uses & Detection

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Forms of Radiation: Properties, Uses & Detection — Free MYP5 Physics Practice Questions

1QuestionDetection methods: Geiger-Müller counter, Photographic filmAssessment Practice

3 marks~5 minCriterion C

A Geiger–Müller (GM) tube is placed at increasing distances from a small radioactive source in air. The graph shows count rate (counts per second) plotted against distance

d

from the source.

State the inverse-square law for radiation intensity from a point source. [1]

Explain why the count rate measured by the GM tube decreases as

d

increases, linking the inverse-square law to the fixed detection area of the tube's window. [1]

A student claims that doubling the distance will halve the count rate. Evaluate this claim. [1]

Solutions

2QuestionDeflection in electric and magnetic fieldsAssessment Practice

3 marks~5 minCriterion C

The diagram below shows the trajectories of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation entering a uniform electric field directed vertically downward.

State the charge of each type of radiation. [1]

Using the relationship

F = qE

, explain why alpha and beta particles deflect in opposite directions in this field. [1]

A student claims that a more massive alpha particle will always deflect less than a beta particle in the same electric field, regardless of their speeds. Justify whether this claim is correct. [1]

Solutions

3QuestionComparison of properties pentrating power/ionization power/ biological damageAssessment Practice

5 marks~8 minCriterion A

A radiation simulation records the following data for alpha, beta, and gamma radiation travelling through air before striking a 2.0 mm lead shield.

Distance travelled in air before reaching the shield (cm):
Alpha: 4.0 — Beta: 120 — Gamma: exits simulation (> 1000)

Energy deposited in lead (MeV per mm of lead):
Alpha: 1.2 — Beta: 0.3 — Gamma: 0.05

Ionisation events in air (events per mm of travel):
Alpha: 40 000 — Beta: 100 — Gamma: 1

Calculate the total energy deposited by each radiation type in the 2.0 mm lead shield. [1]

Using the ionisation data and the distances travelled in air, explain the relationship between a particle's stopping distance and its rate of energy transfer to matter. [2]

Justify why alpha radiation causes the greatest biological damage despite having the least penetrating power. [2]

Solutions

4QuestionBackground radiation: Natural sources (cosmic, rocks), Artificial sourcesAssessment Practice

6 marks~9 minCriterion D

A family is choosing between granite countertops and standard concrete for their kitchen renovation. Granite contains trace amounts of uranium-238, which decays to produce radon-222 gas. The granite emits radon at

0.1\ \text{Bq kg}^{-1}

; the kitchen will contain

50\ \text{kg}

of granite. Standard concrete emits radon at

0.02\ \text{Bq kg}^{-1}

;

200\ \text{kg}

will be used. Inhaling radon delivers an annual dose of

0.01\ \text{mSv}

per

\text{Bq}

of activity.

Calculate the annual radon dose for each material option. [2]

Deduce which material poses the greater radon health risk, and explain why the difference in calculated doses may not be meaningful in practice. [2]

Discuss the limitations of using only these calculated doses to decide which material is safer for the family. [2]

Solutions

5QuestionDeflection in electric and magnetic fieldsAssessment Practice

8 marks~12 minCriterion D

A nuclear reprocessing facility stores

\text{Cs-137}

and

\text{Sr-90}

in a storage pond. To reduce long-term waste, a mass spectrometer separates these isotopes: ions are accelerated to the same speed

v

and enter a uniform magnetic field

B

, where the magnetic force provides the centripetal force, causing each ion to follow a circular path. Both isotopes form singly charged ions (

q = 1.6 \times 10^{-19}\ \text{C}

Deduce which isotope has the larger radius of curvature in the magnetic field. [2]

Explain how the separation of

\text{Cs-137}

creates both a benefit for long-term waste management and a security risk. [3]

Evaluate the environmental limitations of using a mass spectrometer for large-scale isotope separation, discussing at least two distinct limitations. [3]

Solutions

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