Name: Class:

P6.1-P7.6 Rad/Nuclear Physics – Self Study Booklet p178 -203

P6.1-P6.6 I or next steps....

a) Some substances give out radiation from the nuclei of their atoms all the time, whatever happens to them. These substances are said to be radioactive.

b) The origins of background radiation. c) Identification of an alpha particle as two neutrons and two protons,

the same as a helium nucleus, a beta particle as an electron from the nucleus and gamma radiation as electromagnetic radiation.

d) Nuclear equations to show single alpha and beta decay. e) Properties of the alpha, beta and gamma radiations limited to their

relative ionising power, their penetration through materials and their range in air.

f) Alpha and beta radiations are deflected by both electric and magnetic fields but gamma radiation is not.

g) The uses of and the dangers associated with each type of nuclear radiation.

h) The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the average time it takes for the number of nuclei of the isotope in a sample to halve, or the time it takes for the count rate from a sample containing the isotope to fall to half its initial level.

P7.1-7.6 Fission & Fusion I or next steps....

a) There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. (FT)

b) Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. (diagram FT/equations HT)

c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. (FT/HT)

a) Nuclear fusion is the joining of two atomic nuclei to form a larger one.b) Nuclear fusion is the process by which energy is released in stars.c) Stars form when enough dust and gas from space is pulled together by

gravitational attraction. Smaller masses may also form and be attracted by a larger mass to become planets.

d) During the ‘main sequence’ period of its life cycle a star is stable because the forces within it are balanced.

e) A star goes through a life cycle. This life cycle is determined by the size of the star.

f) Fusion processes in stars produce all of the naturally occurring elements. These elements may be distributed throughout the Universe by the explosion of a massive star (supernova) at the end of its life.

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a) Some substances give out radiation from the nuclei of their atoms all the time, whatever happens to them. These substances are said to be radioactive. (p178-179)

1. Explain what Marie Curie & Becquerel Found? (LD)

2. Explain how a Geiger Muller Tube works and what it detects? (NB: ask teacher for extra image or look online about “ionisation” (LD)

3. What did Ernest Rutherford carry out tests on and what did he discover p(179-181) ? (LD if key facts ->HD if explained in terms of plug pudding v Rutherford model) extra “alpha scattering”... http://www.animatedscience.co.uk/waves-radiation-animations

b) The origins of background radiation.

4. Use the information on p179 to draw/ sketch out a pie chart to describe sources of background radiation 1% = 3.6 (LD/ MD if using a protractor – precise!)

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c) Identification of an alpha particle as two neutrons and two protons, the same as a helium nucleus, a beta particle as an electron from the nucleus and gamma radiation as electromagnetic radiation. (p182-183)

5. Use the book images or online animations http://www.animatedscience.co.uk/waves-radiation-animations to show the three types of radiation by drawing each one (in detail) (Medium Demand)

Alpha (e.g. Uranium – Thorium or Thorium to Radium)

Beta (Iodine -> Xenon or Potassium to Calcium)

Gamma (Iodine -> Xenon or similar)

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d) Nuclear equations to show single alpha and beta decay. (p182-183)

6. Can you complete the following equations.... (A*-C)

e) Properties of the alpha, beta and gamma radiations limited to their relative ionising power, their penetration through materials and their range in air. (p184)

7. Can you complete the table to show the penetration power of radiation through air? (Low Demand)

Type? Absorber Material? Range in Air?

8. Can you draw a diagram to show the penetration power of radiation through paper, aluminium, lead and human skin? (Medium Demand)

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f) Alpha and beta radiations are deflected by both electric and magnetic fields but gamma radiation is not. (p184)

9. Can you draw a diagram and explain how radiation is effected by a magnetic field? (Low -> Medium Demand)

10. Can you draw a diagram and explain how radiation is effected by an electric field? (Low -> Medium Demand) (p185)

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g) The uses of and the dangers associated with each type of nuclear radiation. (p185, p188,189)

11. Can you explain the dangers to humans from ionisation of tissue & some example uses such as smoke alarms, carbon and uranium dating? (MD)

12. Can you explain how we can use beta () radiation to produce sheets of metal of a consistent thickness? (MD-> HD p188)

13. Can you explain how a radioactive tracer can be used to show if a kidney is blocked? Draw on the graph what happens if you have a blockage. (LD-HD p188)

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h) The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the average time it takes for the number of nuclei of the isotope in a sample to halve, or the time it takes for the count rate from a sample containing the isotope to fall to half its initial level. (p186, 18, 189) (Further study & software to install at home)...

14. From the information you have already read in the books can you logically match up the data from the half life graphs and fill in the grid? (HD)

15. Plot the data in the table on graph paper to show a half-life graph. (Medium Challenge)

a) Work out the half-life time?

b) Comment on the danger from the source at 0,4,8,12,16 hours?

16. Can you write an extended piece of writing backed up with an accurate graph to explain what happens in the process of carbon dating. (T0.5 = 5600 years) (High Challenge)

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7.1& 7.3 Nuclear “Fission”

17 a& b) Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. There are two fissionable substances in common use in nuclear reactors: uranium-235 and plutonium-239. For the example reaction shown below and using p192. Explain the process and draw diagram to help you. (LD-HD)

18 c) For fission to occur, the uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus must first absorb a neutron. However, this process must be controlled. Using p193 can you fill in the gaps below? (LD - p192)

19 Write an extended piece of writing in your book based on p196/197 which... Compares , , in terms of risk inside and outside the body. (LD) Details some issues with exposure to radiation and how we might resolve them (MD) Personal comment on how issues such as Chernobyl can be avoided in the future. (HD)

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7.2, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 “Fusion” & Stars

20 a & b) Nuclear fusion is the joining of two atomic nuclei to form a larger one. Nuclear fusion is the process by which energy is released in stars. Explain a diagram (FT) or nuclear reaction (HT) like this to show the Tritium and Deuterium fusing... p194 or internet to help. (MeV is a measure of the energy produced – 3.5MeV = 5.6 x 10-19J – very small per fusion)

21 c & e Stars form when enough dust and gas from space is pulled together by gravitational attraction. Smaller masses may also form and be attracted by a larger mass to become planets. During the ‘main sequence’ period of its life cycle a star is stable because the fusion forces and gravity within it are balanced. A star goes through a life cycle. This life cycle is determined by the size of the star. Fusion processes in stars produce all of the naturally occurring elements. These elements may be distributed throughout the Universe by the explosion of a massive star (supernova) at the end of its life with massive stars ultimately forming black holes or neutron stars.

TASK: Use information from p198-205 to produce an A3 map of this information based on this graphic model. Research more details for homework, also review video on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80eMTnnLjhs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzE7VZMT1z8

http://www.animatedscience.co.uk/aqa-p2-physics-2-5-2-6-nuclear - further video and resources

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