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physics Physics For High Schools (KS4)
 
Solved problems for the chapter:
 

Characteristics of the Three Kinds of Emission

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Example 1.

The diagram shows a stream of -particles travelling in a line that passes between the poles of a magnet.


T



In which direction will the -particles be deflected by the magnet?


  • into the page

  • out of the page

  • towards the S pole

  • towards the N pole

    
Example 2.

The diagram shows a piece of apparatus used to determine the nature of the emissions from a radioactive source. The absorbers can be raised out of or lowered into the path of the radiation from the source to the detector. The apparatus is evacuated.




The table gives a set of results for a particular radioactive source.


 
absorber in use
 
A
none
350
 
B
thin paper
350
 
C
aluminium
180
 
D
lead
23
 

Which types of radiation are being emitted by the radioactive source?


  • -particles only

  • -particles

  • -particles and -particles

  • -particles and -rays

    
3.

A high-voltage power supply is connected to a metal grid and a wire, as shown.




Sparks are observed in the position indicated when the radioactive source is placed close to the grid. Which statement explains why the sparks are formed?


  • -particles have no charge

  • -particles are strongly ionising

  • -particles have a long range

  • -particles have no mass

    
4.

What is the nature of -emission?


  • uncharged particles

  • electromagnetic waves

  • negatively charged particles

  • positively charged particles

    
5.

A thin metal foil is placed in a vacuum. -particles are fired at the foil and most go straight through. A very small proportion of the -particles are deflected through large angles. What does this prove?


  • There is a tiny nucleus in each atom

  • -particles are very small

  • There are neutrons in each atom

  • There are negative electrons in each atom

    
6.

The table compares -radiation, -radiation and -radiation. Which row is correct?


 
-radiation
-radiation
-radiation
 
A
more ionising than or
an electron
electromagnetic radiation
 
B
less ionising than or
an electron
two protons and two neutrons
 
C
more ionising than or
a proton
electromagnetic radiation
 
D
less ionising than or
electromagnetic radiation
a proton
 
    
7.

A beam of -particles and -particles is incident at right angles to an electric field. Which statement about the deflection of the particles in the field is correct?


  • -particles deflect, but -particles do not

  • Both -particles and -particles deflect in the same direction.

  • -particles deflect in the opposite direction to -particles

  • -particles deflect, but -particles do not

    
8.

Which radioactive source is used in a smoke alarm system and what is the reason for this?


 
source
reason
 
A
α
causes least ionisation of air
 
B
α
causes most ionisation of air
 
C
γ
causes least ionisation of air
 
D
γ
causes most ionisation of air
 
    

9.

A beam of radiation, containing -particles, -particles and -rays, passes between two parallel plates. Which radioactive emissions will be attracted to the positively charged plate?


  • -particles only

  • -particles only

  • -rays only

  • -particles, -particles and -rays

    
10.

The table compares the penetrating abilities and ionising effects of -particles and of -radiation. Which row is correct?


 
least
penetrating
most
ionising
 
A
 
B
 
C
 
D
 
    
11.

Three types of radiation are -radiation, -radiation and -radition. Which of these statements is correct?


  • -radiation is less ionising than -radiation

  • -radiation is less ionising than -radiation

  • -radiation is more ionising than -radiation

  • -radiation produces no ionisation

    
12.

A beam of particles moves through a magnetic field. In which situation do the particles experience a magnetic force?


  • a beam of neutrons moving perpendicularly across the magnetic field lines

  • a beam of -particles moving parallel to the magnetic field lines

  • a beam of -particles moving perpendicularly across the magnetic field lines

  • a beam of electrons moving parallel to the magnetic field lines

    
13.

The diagram shows a beam of -particles passing through a strong electric field.




In which direction will the -particles be deflected?


  • upwards towards the top of the page

  • downwards towards the bottom of the page

  • into the plane of the page

  • out of the plane of the page

    
14.

Which statement about -rays is correct?


  • They are not deflected either by magnetic or electric fields

  • They are deflected by magnetic fields but not by electric fields

  • They are deflected by electric fields but not by magnetic fields

  • They are deflected by both electric and magnetic fields

    
15.

Which statement about γ-radiation is correct?


  • It is a form of electromagnetic radiation.

  • It is more highly ionising than α-radiation.

  • It is less penetrating than β-radiation.

  • It consists of very small charged particles.

    
16.

Why is a thick shield made of lead needed to protect people from a source of -rays?


  • Gamma radiation is strongly ionising and so is very penetrating.

  • Gamma radiation is strongly ionising and so is not very penetrating.

  • Gamma radiation is weakly ionising and so is very penetrating.

  • Gamma radiation is weakly ionising and so is not very penetrating.

    
17.

Which statement is not correct?


  • -particles are used to detect cracks in metallic structures

  • -particles are used in the measurement of the thickness of paper

  • -rays are used to treat cancer patients

  • Smoke alarms contain a weak source of -particles

    
18.

Of the three types of ionising radiation, , and , why does -emission cause the most ionisation?


  • -particles have the greatest mass.

  • -particles move with the greatest speed.

  • -particles have the smallest mass

  • -particles travel the greatest distance in matter.

    

19.

The diagram shows a radioactivity experiment.




When a piece of paper is used as an absorber, the count rate drops to the background count rate. Which radiation is the source emitting?


  • -radiation only

  • -radiation only

  • -radiation only

  • -radiation only -radiation, -radiation and -radiation

    
20.

A thin sheet of paper is placed between a radioactive source and a radiation detector. The count rate falls to a very low reading.




From this result, which type of radiation is the source emitting?


  • -particles

  • -particles

  • -rays

  • X-rays