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7.1 Properties of Radiation

Question Paper

Course Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Section 7. Radioactivity & Particles
Topic 7.1 Properties of Radiation
Difficulty Easy

Time allowed: 30

Score: /18

Percentage: /100

Page 1 of 5

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Question 1
Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon.
It has the symbol

The number of nucleons in a carbon-14 nucleus is

A. 6
B. 8
C. 14
D. 20
[1 mark]

Question 2
When carbon-14 decays it emits a beta particle.
What is a beta particle?
A. An electron
B. A neutron
C. A nucleus
D. A proton
[1 mark]

Question 3
Which of these is the same as an electron?
A. Alpha particle
B. Beta particle
C. Gamma ray
D. X-ray
[1 mark]

Page 2 of 5

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Question 4a
Sodium-24 is a radioactive isotope.
What are isotopes?
[2 marks]

Question 4b
Sodium-24 decays by emitting beta particles.
(i)
Describe the nature of a beta particle.
(1)
(ii)
Name a piece of equipment that can be used to detect beta particles.
(1)
(iii)
Describe how a detector can be used with sheets of lead, aluminium and paper to show that a sample of sodium-24 emits
beta particles.
(2)
[4 marks]

Page 3 of 5

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Question 5a
Scientists use the term radiation in different ways.
Sometimes radiation means streams of particles and sometimes radiation means high frequency waves.
Draw a straight line from each description to the type of radiation it describes.

[3 marks]

Question 5b
People who work with ionising radiation need to measure the amount of radiation they are exposed to. For many years, a film
badge was used to detect the radiation.
State the name of another device that can be used to detect alpha radiation.
[1 mark]

Question 6
The radioactive nuclei in a source emit beta radiation.
What effect does the emission of a beta particle have on a nucleus?
[2 marks]

Page 4 of 5

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Question 7a
There are different types of ionising radiation.

Complete the table to show the properties of each type.

[2 marks]

Question 7b
A radioactive source contains strontium-90.
A strontium-90 nucleus emits a beta particle.

Complete the equation to show how strontium-90 decays.

[1 mark]

Page 5 of 5

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