A factory uses two kinds of small, low radioactivity sources in the manufacture of smoke alarms. Workers are given these health and safety instructions: Type 1 sources Always wear latex rubber gloves when handling Type 1 radioactive sources. Do not eat or drink when handling Type 1 radioactive sources. Type 2 sources Always wear latex rubber gloves and use tongs when handling Type 2 radioactive sources. Do not eat or drink when handling Type 2 radioactive sources. Always hold Type 2 sources at least 10 cm away from the body. State which radioactive sources most likely correspond to Type-1 and Type-2?

Type-1 sources The Type-1 sources most likely correspond to alpha particles, as alpha particles are positively charged and made up of two protons and two neutrons from the atom’s nucleus. Even though alpha particles are very energetic, they are so heavy that they use up their energy over short distances and are unable to travel very far from the atom. The health effect from exposure to alpha particles depends greatly on how a person is exposed. Alpha particles lack the energy to penetrate even the outer layer of skin, so exposure to the outside of the body is not a major concern. Inside the body, however, they can be very harmful. Type-2 sources The Type-2 sources most likely correspond to beta particles, as beta particles are small, fast-moving particles with a negative electrical charge that are emitted from an atom’s nucleus during radioactive decay. Beta particles are more penetrating than alpha particles, but are less damaging to living tissue and DNA because the ionizations they produce are more widely spaced. They travel farther in air than alpha particles, but can be stopped by a layer of clothing or by a thin layer of a substance such as aluminium.

E M B I B E

MYP By Concept 4&5 Physics>Chapter 11 - What's in an Atom?>SOME SUMMATIVE PROBLEMS TO TRY>Q 4

HARD

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IMPORTANT

Earn 100

What is meant by the word isotope?

Important Questions on What's in an Atom?

MEDIUM

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IMPORTANT

MYP By Concept 4&5 Physics>Chapter 11 - What's in an Atom?>CONSIDER AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:>Q 1

What is inside an atom?

HARD

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IMPORTANT

MYP By Concept 4&5 Physics>Chapter 11 - What's in an Atom?>CONSIDER AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:>Q 2

What happens when a nucleus changes?

MEDIUM

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IMPORTANT

MYP By Concept 4&5 Physics>Chapter 11 - What's in an Atom?>CONSIDER AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:>Q 3

What effects does radiation have?

MEDIUM

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IMPORTANT

MYP By Concept 4&5 Physics>Chapter 11 - What's in an Atom?>CONSIDER AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:>Q 4

How can we harness energy inside an atom?

HARD

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IMPORTANT

MYP By Concept 4&5 Physics>Chapter 11 - What's in an Atom?>CONSIDER AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:>Q 2

What special consequences does nuclear technology bring?

HARD

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IMPORTANT

MYP By Concept 4&5 Physics>Chapter 11 - What's in an Atom?>CONSIDER AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:>Q 3

Is nuclear power the answer to our sustainable energy needs?

MEDIUM

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IMPORTANT

MYP By Concept 4&5 Physics>Chapter 11 - What's in an Atom?>EXTENSION>Q 1

Use alpha decay and beta decay to find examples of actual decay by elements.

HARD

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IMPORTANT

MYP By Concept 4&5 Physics>Chapter 11 - What's in an Atom?>SOME SUMMATIVE PROBLEMS TO TRY>Q 1

A factory uses two kinds of small, low radioactivity sources in the manufacture of smoke alarms. Workers are given these health and safety instructions:
Type 1 sources

Always wear latex rubber gloves when handling
Type 1 radioactive sources.
Do not eat or drink when handling Type 1 radioactive sources.

Type 2 sources

Always wear latex rubber gloves and use tongs when handling Type 2 radioactive sources.
Do not eat or drink when handling Type 2 radioactive sources.
Always hold Type 2 sources at least 10 cm away from the body.

State which radioactive sources most likely correspond to Type-1 and Type-2?