OCR GCSE Combined Science Physics J250
Electricity
Energy
Forces
Global Challenges
Magnetism and Magnetic Fields
Matter
Radioactivity
Waves in Matter
Radioactivity
Penetration of alpha, beta and gamma
- 3 things to know
- Paper 12 (Physics)
Overview
What absorbs alpha, beta and gamma radiation, which is most and least penetrating, which ionises most strongly, how far each travels in air, and reading absorption tests.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
What thickness of material is enough to absorb alpha particles?
What material and thickness is needed to absorb beta particles?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What thickness of material is enough to absorb alpha particles?
Model answer
A sheet of paper, or a few centimetres of air, will absorb them.
- 2
What material and thickness is needed to absorb beta particles?
Model answer
About a few millimetres of aluminium will absorb them.
- 3
What is needed to reduce gamma radiation to a safe level?
Model answer
Several centimetres of lead or a thick wall of concrete, and even then it is only reduced rather than stopped completely.
- 4
Which of the three radiations is the most penetrating?
Model answer
Gamma radiation is the most penetrating.
- 5
Which of the three radiations is the least penetrating?
Model answer
Alpha radiation is the least penetrating.
- 6
Which of the three radiations is the most strongly ionising?
Model answer
Alpha radiation is the most strongly ionising.
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