Lesson 3

Background radiation
WILF:
•Describe the dangers of radiation
•Define the term background radiation
•Describe sources of background
radiation
 True or False (5 minutes)
1. Protons and electrons are found in the nucleus of
an atom.
2. The atomic number shows the number of protons.
3. The mass number of an element shows the
number of protons and electrons.
4. Electrons have a negative charge.
5. The relative mass of a neutron is 0.
6. A beta particle is a single electron.
7. Alpha is part of the EM spectrum.
8. Alpha radiation is the most ionising.
9. Gamma radiation can be stopped by lead.
10. Beta radiation is the most penetrating form of
radiation.
 True or False
1. Protons and electrons are found in the nucleus of
an atom. F
2. The atomic number shows the number of protons.
T
3. The mass number of an element shows the
number of protons and electrons. F
4. Electrons have a negative charge. T
5. The relative mass of a neutron is 0. F
6. A beta particle is a single electron. T
7. Alpha is part of the EM spectrum. F
8. Alpha radiation is the most ionising. T
9. Gamma radiation can be stopped by lead. T
10. Beta radiation is the most penetrating form of
radiation. F
 Dangers of radiation (10
minutes)
• Watch the YouTube clip.

• Describe the dangers of radiation to

humans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=zI2vRwFKnHQ
 Background radiation (30
minutes)
Research background radiation and produce an
information sheet or poster summarising it.

Include the following:

•Definition of background radiation
•How levels vary around the UK (why do they vary?)
•The percentages of different types of background
radiation in the UK
•Description of the different types of background
radiation
•Explain why radon gas in particular can be dangerous
Plenary task (5 minutes)
• Mark your work from today’s activities.

• Go back over anything you need to, use

the useful web links.
Quiz (10 minutes) photo your answers
and email it to your teacher.
1. What was the name of Thomson’s model of the
atom?
2. Which is the most ioinsing type of radiation?
3. What material can be used to stop beta radiation?
4. What is the mass of an electron?
5. Name two types of background radiation.
6. What is an alpha particle made of?
7. What did we learn from the results of Rutherford’s
investigation?
8. Define the term ‘background radiation’.
9. Which number on an atomic symbol tells us the
number of protons and neutrons?
10. Name a danger of radiation.
 Quiz (10 minutes) photo your answers
and email it to your teacher.
1. What was the name of Thomson’s model of the atom? Plum
Pudding
2. Which is the most ioinsing type of radiation? Alpha
3. What material can be used to stop beta radiation? Aluminium
4. What is the mass of an electron? 1/1835
5. Name two types of background radiation. (Check pie chart in self
assessment sheets)
6. What is an alpha particle made of? 2 protons and 2 neutrons
7. What did we learn from the results of Rutherford’s
investigation? Atoms have a nucleus
8. Define the term ‘background radiation’. Ionising radiation that
is all around us. Some is naturally occurring others are from
human activities
9. Which number on an atomic symbol tells us the number of
protons and neutrons? Mass number
10. Name a danger of radiation. Cell mutations, damage DNA,
cancer
Useful websites
https://www.senecalearning.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI2vRwFKnHQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7394DMkfQs
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zgxjdxs/
revision/1
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zgxjdxs/
revision/3
Any problems contact:
j.green@millfield.lancs.sch.uk
 Lesson 3
Background Radiation
Self-assessment sheets
Dangers of radiation