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Measuring Radioactive Count Rates and Effects

The document discusses an investigation by a teacher into the count rate from a radioactive source, including methods to measure and correct for background radiation. It also presents data on how varying thicknesses of lead affect the count rate and includes questions on nuclear fusion and fission. Additionally, it covers safety precautions when working with radioactive materials and the characteristics of different types of radiation.

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sangkei009
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8 views17 pages

Measuring Radioactive Count Rates and Effects

The document discusses an investigation by a teacher into the count rate from a radioactive source, including methods to measure and correct for background radiation. It also presents data on how varying thicknesses of lead affect the count rate and includes questions on nuclear fusion and fission. Additionally, it covers safety precautions when working with radioactive materials and the characteristics of different types of radiation.

Uploaded by

sangkei009
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

4 A teacher investigates the count rate detected from a radioactive source.

(a) (i) State one source of background radiation.


(1)
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(ii) Describe how the teacher could measure the count rate from a radioactive
source and correct the count rate for background radiation.
(4)
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(b) The teacher places a piece of lead sheet between the radioactive source and a
radiation detector.
The teacher determines the corrected count rate from the radioactive source three
times and calculates the mean.
They repeat this process using different thicknesses of lead sheet.
The table shows their results.

Count rate in Bq
Thickness of
lead in mm
trial 1 trial 2 trial 3 mean

0.0 480 504 469 484

2.0 374 337 357 356

4.0 247 239 229 238

6.0 141 154 148

8.0 110 104 131 115

10.0 88 91 85 88

(i) Calculate the mean count rate when the thickness of lead is 6.0 mm.

(2)
mean count rate = .............................................................. Bq

(ii) Plot a graph of mean count rate against thickness of lead.

(3)
(iii) Draw the curve of best fit.

(1)

(iv) When there is not a sheet of lead between the radioactive source and the
radiation detector, the mean count rate is 484 Bq.
Use the graph to determine the thickness of lead needed to reduce the mean count
rate by 25%.
(2)

thickness = .............................................................. mm
(c) The radioactive source emits only one type of radiation.
Explain which type of radiation this radioactive source emits.
(2)
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(Total for Question 4 = 15 marks)
5 The photograph shows the nuclear fusion reactor called ITER.

(Source: © Efman/Shutterstock)

(a) Describe the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.
(2)

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(b) At ITER, hydrogen-3 and hydrogen-2 will be fused into helium and another
particle labelled X.

(i) Complete the nuclear equation for the fusion of hydrogen-3 and hydrogen-2.
(2)

3
1 H + 2
1 H → 4
2 He + X
9. A teacher demonstrates the penetrating ability of alpha, beta and
gamma radiation from some radioactive sources.

(a) (i) State a precaution the teacher should take to make sure they are
working safely with the radioactive sources.
(1)

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(ii) State the name of a detector the teacher could use to detect the radiation
from each source.
(1)

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(b) Draw crosses (× ) in the table to show which type of radiation cannot
penetrate each material in the table.
(3)
Material

Type of radiation 10 cm of air 2 cm of aluminium 10 cm of lead

alpha

beta

gamma
3 Kori Nuclear Power Plant in South Korea is one of the world’s largest
nuclear fission power stations.

(Source: © seo byeong gon/Shutterstock)

(a) The reactors at Kori use nuclear fission to generate electricity.

The products released during nuclear fission have high energy in their
kinetic store.

Give a product of nuclear fission.


(1)

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(b) Give two disadvantages of using nuclear fission to generate electricity.


(2)

1.............................................................................................................................................................
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source for stars?

Common questions

Powered by AI

To find the mean count rate for the 6.0 mm thickness, sum the trial values and divide by the number of trials: (141 + 154 + 148) / 3 = 147.67 Bq (rounded to 148 Bq).

The nuclear fusion reaction can be completed as follows: 3^1H + 2^1H → 4^2He + 1^0n, where 'n' represents a neutron .

Two major disadvantages of nuclear fission for electricity generation are the production of radioactive waste, which poses long-term storage and environmental challenges, and the potential for catastrophic accidents, as seen in historical events like Chernobyl and Fukushima .

The teacher should minimize exposure time, maintain a safe distance, and use shielding appropriate to the radiation type when working with radioactive sources. Wearing protective gear and handling sources with tools such as tongs also enhances safety .

The significant reduction in count rate when a lead sheet is used suggests that the radioactive source emits gamma radiation. Gamma rays are highly penetrating, and lead is used to absorb and reduce their intensity .

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a heavy nucleus into two smaller ones, releasing energy in the form of kinetic energy and neutrons. Conversely, nuclear fusion involves combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, also releasing energy. Fission often produces radioactive byproducts, while fusion typically results in less radioactive waste .

A Geiger-Müller counter is a versatile detector used to detect alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. It provides counts per minute that represent the rate of radioactive events detected .

Alpha particles are the least penetrating and are stopped by paper or a few centimeters of air. Beta particles can penetrate through paper but are stopped by a few millimeters of aluminum. Gamma rays are the most penetrating and require dense materials like lead for significant attenuation .

A reduction of the mean count rate by 25% from 484 Bq equals a target count rate of 363 Bq. By plotting the graph of mean count rate against thickness of lead and drawing the curve of best fit, you can determine the lead thickness that corresponds to a count rate of 363 Bq .

To measure the count rate from a radioactive source and correct for background radiation, the teacher could first measure the background radiation count without the source present over a period of time to get a baseline reading. Then, measure the count rate with the radioactive source in place for the same duration. Subtract the background count from the measured count to obtain the corrected count rate .

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