E Atomic Physics
19 Radiation and Radioactivity
Practice 19.1 (p. 218)
1 D
2 Yes, X-ray penetrates flesh more than bone. It
is because flesh is mainly shown as darkened
area, where it is penetrated by X-ray.
3 When radiation emitted by the radioactive
source reaches the film, chemical reaction
occurs and the film is darkened. Since the
radiation cannot penetrate the coin, the film
right under the coin is shielded from the
radiation and a shadow is left on the film.
4 (a) The material for the case of the pacemaker
is metal.
(b) Long-wavelength X-ray is used in taking
the image. It is because short-wavelength
X-ray which is more energetic can
penetrate metal and damage living cells in
the body.
Practice 19.2 (p. 232)
1 D
2 C
3 A
4 Any two of the following:
Store and transport all sources in a suitable
lead container. Lock them away when not in
use.
Always handle the sources with forceps or a
special lifting tool, not with hands.
New Physics at Work (Second Edition)
Chapter 19 Radiation and Radioactivity
Keep the sources at arm's length, and point it
away from the human body, especially the
eyes.
Take great care not to drop the sources when
handling them.
Carefully plan the experiments to minimize
the time the source is used.
5 (a) Radioactive gases
(b) Cosmic rays
(c) Radioactive gases and radioactive
materials in rock and soil
(d) Nuclear discharge
6 Only α radiation can be shielded.
7 (a) Photographic film cannot distinguish the
type of radiation.
(b) Cloud chamber can distinguish α , β and
γ radiation. Distinctive tracks are formed
in the chamber by different radiation.
(c) Spark counter can distinguish α , β and
γ radiation. A lot of sparks are produced
by α radiation, only a few by β radiation
and none by γ radiation.
8 (a) α radiation is emitted.
(b) Sparking stops when the source is further
than 4 or 5 cm away from the spark
counter because α particles exhaust all
their energy to ionize the air over this
distance.
(Or α particles have short range in air,
~ 5 cm. If the source is more than 5 cm
away from the spark counter, no α
particle can reach the counter, ionize air
and form sparks.)
45  Oxford University Press 2006
E Atomic Physics Chapter 19 Radiation and Radioactivity

9 α and β radiation can be absorbed by a sheet 2 (a) In an electric field, α radiation is

of paper and a 5-mm thick aluminium sheet deflected towards the negative side, (1A)
respectively. Put the radioactive source in β radiation is deflected towards the
front of a G-M counter. Then put a sheet of positive side (1A)
paper and a 5-mm thick aluminium sheet in and γ radiation is not deflected. (1A)
turn between the source and the counter. If the By detecting the direction of deflection of
count rate of the source does not vary a lot, radiation, one can identify the radiation.
then the source emits γ radiation only. (1A)
10 The source emits α and γ radiation but not (For effective communication.) (1C)
β radiation. (b) α radiation can pass through only a few
cm in air. If the detector is too far away
Revision exercise 19 from the source, it cannot detect α
Multiple-choice (p. 235) radiation. (1A)
1 B The mass of α particle is relatively large.
2 A It can hardly be deflected in a weak
3 C electric field. (1A)
4 A 3 The moon rock emits α and (1A)
5 C γ radiation. (1A)
6 (HKCEE 2005 Paper II Q24) Since the cloud chamber shows short and thick
7 (HKCEE 2004 Paper II Q41) tracks, α radiation is emitted. (1A)
And since the cloud chamber does not show
Conventional (p. 236) thin and twisted tracks, the source does not
1 (a) Source A emits β radiation. (1A) emit β radiation. (1A)
Source B emits γ radiation. (1A) Since lead foil can shield the film from α and
Source C emits α radiation. (1A) β radiation, the exposed film which is
(b) Source A produces thin and twisted tracks. wrapped in lead foil shows that γ radiation is
(1A) also emitted. (1A)
Source B produces scattered tracks / tracks 4
that can hardly be seen. (1A) Absorber Air Card- Aluminium Lead
Source C produces straight and thick Board (5 mm (25 mm
tracks. (1A) thick) thick)
Counts α ~120 ~50 ~50 ~50
per min γ ~120 ~120 ~110 ~80
(6 × 1A)

New Physics at Work (Second Edition) 46  Oxford University Press 2006

E Atomic Physics Chapter 19 Radiation and Radioactivity

5 (a) The count rate is about the same when a 7 (a) Since α radiation can be stopped by a
piece of paper is inserted. (1A) piece of paper (1A)
This shows that the source does not emit and the film is wrapped by paper, α
α radiation. (1A) radiation cannot reach the film and the
(b) The count rate drops significantly when film cannot detect it.
the 5-mm aluminium is inserted. (1A) (b) Since β and γ radiation can penetrate
This shows that the source emits β paper, when the badge exposes to either β
radiation. (1A) or γ radiation, the film under the open
(c) The count rate drops significantly when window will turn black. (1A)
the 25-mm lead is inserted. (1A) When the badge exposes to β radiation,
This shows that the source emits γ since β radiation can be stopped by 5-mm
radiation. (1A) thick aluminium sheet or 5-mm thick lead
(d) The count rate of the background radiation sheet, (1A)
is about 35 counts per second. (1A) the film under these metal sheets will not
6 (a) β source should be used. (1A) turn black, (1A)
β radiation can partially pass through the only the film under the open window will
aluminium sheet. (1A) turn black.
This gives a count rate that depends When the badge exposes to γ radiation,
remarkably on the thickness of the since γ radiation can penetrate both 5-
aluminium sheet. (1A) mm thick aluminium sheet and 5-mm
Also accept: thick lead sheet, the film under the 3
β source should be used. (1A) windows will turn black. (1A)
α radiation cannot pass through the (For effective communication.) (1C)
aluminium sheet. (1A) 8 (a) α radiation can pass through only a few
γ radiation can completely pass through centimetres in air. (1A)
the aluminium sheets without any decrease It cannot reach the detector.
in the count rate. (1A) (b) β radiation is emitted. (1A)
(b) (i) The count rate rises or becomes far Since the radiation cannot pass through the
above 60 counts per second. (1A) 25-mm lead, (1A)
(ii) The count rate drops or becomes far the source does not emit γ radiation.(1A)
below 60 counts per second. (1A) However, the films A and B are still
(c) Nuclear radiation is emitted randomly blackened. Therefore, the source should
from the source. (1A) emit β radiation. (1A)
Therefore, the count rate usually slightly (For effective communication.) (1C)
fluctuates. (c) The thickness of the aluminium foil is less
than 5 mm, such as 1 mm. (1A)

New Physics at Work (Second Edition) 47  Oxford University Press 2006

E Atomic Physics Chapter 19 Radiation and Radioactivity

9 (a) It is used to ensure that the radiation 10 (HKCEE 1999 Paper I Q6)
entering the magnetic field travels along 11 (HKCEE 2001 Paper I Q11)
one direction. (1A) 12 (a) Put ticks beside the following statements.
(b) (i) (2 × 1A)
Y Gamma radiation travels as a wave.
Gamma radiation will penetrate several
centimetres of lead.
• (b) (i) If the bottle is not full enough, the
X count rate measured is larger than the
(Correct position.) (1A) normal rate. (1A)
β particles carry negative charge. (ii) If the bottle is too full, the count rate
(1A) measured is smaller than the normal
By Fleming’s left-hand rule, β rate. (1A)
radiation is deflected to the position (iii) If bottles have different thickness, the
shown in the figure. absorption of radiation passing the
(ii) bottle is different. (1A)
Y Then even if the radiation level
measured is the same for all bottles,
• the liquid level of the bottles can be
different. (1A)
(iv) It is because α radiation cannot pass
X
(Correct position.) (1A) through the glass wall of bottles and
γ ray is uncharged. It does not reach the detector. (1A)
deflect in a magnetic field. (1A) (v) Ultrasound is used instead of γ
(c) β radiation is blocked by the lead plate. radiation because the emission of γ
(1A) radiation is random and a bottling
The count rate at the position shown in (b) machine using ultrasound has higher
(i) is greatly reduced. (1A) accuracy. (1A)
Most of the γ radiation can pass through Moreover, γ radiation is dangerous
the lead plate. (1A) to workers. (1A)
The count rate at the position shown in (b)
(ii) is about the same / drops slightly.(1A)
(For effective communication.) (1C)

New Physics at Work (Second Edition) 48  Oxford University Press 2006

E Atomic Physics Chapter 19 Radiation and Radioactivity

13 (a) γ radiation has the greatest penetration.

(1A)
(b) (i) β radiation should be used. (1A)
(ii) No α radiation would penetrate the
aluminium sheet. (1A)
All γ radiation would penetrate the
aluminium sheet. (1A)

Physics in articles (p. 241)

(a) No. X-ray is not charged; (1A)
otherwise, it will be deflected (1A)
in a magnetic field. (1A)
(b) X-ray makes a radiograph black. (1A)
Less X-ray absorption will result in a darker
radiograph. (1A)

New Physics at Work (Second Edition) 49  Oxford University Press 2006