Question
(a) To ensure the safety of workers in laboratories where radioactive sources are used, describe how radioactive materials
(i) should be stored,
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(ii) should be handled
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(b) Complete the table below for three types of emission from radioactive sources.
|
type of emission |
nature |
range in air |
absorbed by |
|
electromagnetic radiation |
several km |
||
|
helium nucleus |
0.2 mm paper |
||
|
electron |
(c) State the type of radiation emitted when
(i) an americium nucleus (\(^{241}_{95}\) Am) decays into a neptunium nucleus (\(^{237}_{93}\)Np),
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(ii) a phosphorus nucleus (\(^{32}_{15}\) P) decays into a silicon nucleus (\(^{32}_{16}\) Si)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Answer/Explanation
Answer:
(a)(i) In box / cupboard with lead walls
(ii) (Handle) with (long) tongs OR remote-controlled device OR wearing lead gloves OR wearing lead suit
(b)
Col 1:
gamma / γ (rays)
alpha / α (particles)
beta / β (particles)
Col 3: –
a few cm or up to 10 cm
a few m or up to 10 m
Col 4:
thick lead or 30 cm lead or very thick concrete or 3 m concrete
thin aluminium or 2 mm aluminium
(c)(i) alpha / α (particles or rays)
(ii) beta / β (particles or rays)