Radioactive Substances WebQuest

Access the Radioactive Substances revision by holding down control and clicking on
the following link.

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/radiation/radioactiverev1.shtml

Then using this information answer the questions below:

Radioactive Substances

1. Name the three particles which make up an atom.

2. Define the ‘half- life’ of a radioactive isotope.

3. Name the three main types of radiation.

4. What can exposure to radiation do to cells?

5. How can radiation be detected?

6. Describe two uses of radiation.

7. Which particles are found in the nucleus?

8. How are the electrons arranged around the nucleus?

9. Define an ‘Isotope’.

10. Draw two isotopes of Hydrogen.

11. Compare how isotopes can vary in their chemical properties and radioactivity.

12. What happens to the radiation if the radioactive isotope is cooled down or involved
in a chemical reaction?

Types of Radiation

13. What is an alpha particle?

14. Describe what Beta radiation is and where it comes from.

15. Describe Gamma radiation. Why is it wrong to call it Gamma Particles?

Penetrating Properties of Radiation

16. Draw a table that compares the penetrating ability of and through air.

17. Describe a material that can stop:

(a) Alpha radiation-

(b) Beta radiation-

(c) Gamma radiation-

Deflecting Radiation

18. What charge do alpha, beta and gamma radiation have?

19. In an electric field, where are beta particles attracted to?

20. In an electric field, where are alpha particles repelled from?

21. What happens to gamma radiation in an electric field?

22. Use the right hand rule to determine the orientation of the magnetic field in the
simulation. What is it?

23. Fill in the missing words: Photographic film goes ____________ when it absorbs
_____________. The more radiation the film _____________ the darker it is when
it is ______________. A radiation badge works the same way. To get an
____________ measure of the close received, the badge contains different
_____________ that the ______________ must penetrate to reach the film. These
include ______________, _____________, lead- tin alloy and plastic.

24. Describe how a Geiger- Muller tube detects radiation.

25. What is the unknown source in the simulation?

Hazards of Radiation

26. What happens when DNA is damaged?

27. What can high doses of radiation be used to kill?

28. Draw the hazard symbol for radioactive substances.

29. How could radiation get inside the body?

30. Which radiation is most dangerous inside the body?

31. Which radiation is most dangerous outside the body?

Half- Life

32. What is radioactive decay?

33. State the two definitions of half- life.

34. What is the half- life of francium- 223?

35. Using the Decay Curve, how many days will it take for the counts per minute to drop
to 2 1/2 ?

Using Radiation

36. List the six ways that radiation can be used.

37. Fill in the missing words: Doctors may use ________________ chemicals called
___________ for medical imaging. Certain chemicals ______________ in different
damaged or ____________ parts of the body, and the radiation concentrates with it.
Radiation _____________ placed outside the body detect the ______________
emitted and with the aid of _____________, build up an ____________ of the inside
of the ___________.

38. Why are radioactive medical tracers not usually harmful?

39. Why are radioactive medical tracers usually beta or gamma radiation?

Now have a go at doing the Activity on Radioactive Substances by clicking below.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/radiation/radioactiveact.shtml

Once you have finished that try the Test Bite below.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/schools/gcsebitesize/science/quizengine?quiz=radioacti
vetest&templateStyle=science