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RADIOACTIVITY(TEACHERS COPY)
5.1 Understanding the nucleus of an atom A student is able to i describe the composition of the nucleus of an atom in terms of protons and neutrons. ii define proton number (Z) and nucleon number (A). iii explain the term nuclide A iv use the nuclide notation Z X 1 A nuclide is an atom of a particular structure A nucleus for element X is represented by What does A , Z and X represent? A : Z : X : 2 nucleon proton element
A Z

Below are the symbols for five nuclides

222 86

Rn

218 84

Po

235 92

141 56

Ba

92 36

Kr

Which of the above nuclides contains i) the most number of nucleon U-235 ii) The least number of nucleon Kr-92 iii) The most number of protons U-235 iv) The least number of protons Kr-92 v) The most number of neutrons U-235 vi) The least number of neutrons Kr-92

5.2 Analysing radioactive decay

2 A student is able to: i ii iii iv v vi vii viii state what radioactivity is. name common detectors for radioactive emissions. compare the 3 kinds of radioactive emissions in terms of their nature. explain what radioactive decay is. use equations to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when particles are emitted. explain half -life. determine half-life from a decay curve. solve problems involving half -life.

Fill in the blank. 1 2 Name of detectors Geiger Muller Tube (GM Tube) Spark Counter Gold leaf electroscope Photographic plate , , and Particles or rays detected Radioactivity is a spontaneous and random emission of radioactive rays from an unstable nucleus to become more stable nucleus.

Radioactive substances may emit alpha, beta and gamma radiation .Fill in the table to describe the characteristic of the three kinds of radiation. Types of radiation Nature Ionising effect high Penetration Low moderate High Moderate Low

Helium nuclei

High speed electron

Electro magnetic ray

The equation below represents a nuclear reaction . What is the value of P,Q, R,S,T and U. 4 1 2 i + PH + Q He + energy 0 1H 1

P:

Q:

ii

234 S

Th

R 91

Pa

0 1

e
S: 90 +

R: iii

234
214 82

Pb

T U

Bi

0 1

T:

214

U:

83

Show in the diagram below how , and (a)

are affected in

(b)

Radioactive source

Magnetic field directed into the paper Radioactive source

6.

Fill in the blanks.

Type of radiation

Tracks produced

Nature of tracks
1. Tracks are straight.. because of bigger mass .

- Particles

2. Tracks are ...thick........because of strong ionising effect.

Particles

1. Tracks are twisted and thinner 2. Easily collides with the vapour molecule 3. Less ionizing effect compare with alpha particles

1. Track are short,thin. and irregular - rays 2. - rays have the lowest ionising effect 3. High penetrating power.

7 The arrangement of the apparatus is used to study the type of radioactive radiation emitted by a radioactive source

Table below shows the result of the study.

What type of radiation is emitted by the radioactive source ? Why . Penetration rate is higher with paper but low with Al and Lead
222

a.

8 A nucleus of radioactive isotope 86 Rn emits an - particles when it decays to a nucleus of an element Polonium, Po Write down the equation?
222 86

Rn

218 84 Po

4 2

He

b.

How many neutrons, protons and electrons in an atom Po p = 84 n = 134 e = 84

9 A nitrogen nucleus is bombarded with another particle as shown in the equation below?
14 7

4 2

He

17 8

(a)

Name the particle used to bombard the nitrogen nucleus? Determine the nucleon number and the proton umber of Nucleon number = 1 proton number = 1
1 1

(b)

10

(a)

Describe the difference in structure between

H,

2 1

and

3 1

H.
same proton number with different nucleon number (b) Absorber Rate meter reading Name the isotopes Air 120 Paper 119 Aluminium 3 mm 50 Lead 10 cm 50

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1 1

H : hidrogen

2 1

H: deuterium

3 1

H: tritium

(c )

Is there any difference in chemical properties ?. Give reason for your answer No, all have same number of protons

11 Radium was one of the first substances known to show the property of radioactive decay. Radium has along half-life (a) What is meant by radioactive decay? Unstable nucleus decays to become more stable nucleus. (b) What is meant by half-life? Time taken for aradioactive substance to become half of the initial activity. 12 Diagram below is part of the decay curve for a sample of a radioactive isotope.

(a) What is meant by isotope? Same proton number but different nucleon number (b) Based on Diagram (i) Determine the activity at the first half-life of the isotope. 400 counts per min (ii) Complete the curve up to 15 minute. 80 0 (ii) 40 0 20 0 10 0

10

15

(c) Reading decreases

13.

Using the table below answer the following question. Radioactive isotope Strontium-90 Radium-226 Iodine-128 Half-life 28 years 1602 years 2 minutes

(a) If the samples of strontium-90 and radium-226 both had the same activity now. Which would have the lower activity in 10 years time. strontium (b) (i) If the activity of iodine is 400 count/min what would be the activity after 6 minutes ?

50 count/min (ii) What is the time taken if the activity of iodine left is only 12.5 count/min?

10 minutes 5.3 A student is able to: 5.3.1 5.3.2 5.3.3 define radioisotopes. name examples of radioisotopes. describe applications of radioisotopes.

8 Answer the questions below: 1. The nuclei of an element that has the same proton number but different nucleon number are called as isotope. 2. Radioisotopes are unstable nuclei which decay and emits radioactive emissions such as particles, particles or rays. 3. Give 3 examples of radioisotopes and name the possible radioactive emission. carbon 14 Cobalt 60 and Iodine 123 4 The top part of the diagram shows a section of steel plates which have been welded edge to edge at A, B and C, to make a large steel sheet. A gamma ray source was placed on one side of the sheet, pointing towards gamma ray detector on the other side. As the source and detector were moved together along the steel sheet the output of the detector was measured and is detector shown in the lower part of the output diagram.

(a)

Explain what the detector output tells the engineer who did the welding about the joints at A, B and C. Welding about joint A and B are perfect but joint C is imperfect.

(b)

Explain how this procedure provides useful information about the steel sheet. The steel plate is of uniform thickness except the welding about joint C

5 The thickness of paper can be checked by putting a radioactive source on one side of the paper and a detector on the other side. (a) Explain why and , sources would not be suitable.

9 not suitable because it can be stopped by the paper/low penetration power and the detector cannot detect any radiation. is not suitable because it has very high penetrating power and is dangerous. (b) How would the amount of radiation passing through the paper be changed if the thickness of the paper increased? decreases (c) In such an experiment it was found that the number of counts per minute varied even when the thickness of the paper was unchanged. Explain this observation. The distance between the detector and the source is getting further

In a paper mill, paper pulp is squeezed between rollers to form a paper strip.

The pressure of the rollers is controlled by a signal from a radiation detector as shown radiation in the diagram. A radioactive source is placed on the paper opposite side of the paper to the detector. Suggest how this arrangement produces paper of uniform thickness. Explain why the radioactive source has to be handled with care. Fill in the blank If the radiation detector displays the same reading that is the expected reading when the paper strip passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is uniform. If the radiation detector displays higher than the expected reading when the paper strip passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is lower. If the radiation detector displays lower than the expected reading when the paper strip passes through the pulp, we conclude that the thickness of paper is higher.

10 5.4 A student is able to: 5.4.1 define atomic mass unit (a.m.u.). 5.4.2 describe nuclear fission. 5.4.3 give examples of nuclear fission. 5.4.4 describe chain reactions. 5.5.5 describe nuclear fusion. 5.4.6 give examples of nuclear fusion. 5.4.7 relate the release of energy in a nuclear reaction with a change of mass according to the equation E = mc 2 . 5.4.8 describe the generation of electricity from nuclear fission. 5.4.9 justify the use of nuclear fission in the generation of electricity. 5.5.10 solve problems involving nuclear energy. 1 2 3 1 a.m.u is defined as

1 of the mass of a carbon-12 atom. 12

1 a.m.u is equal to 1.66 x 1027 kg . Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavier nucleus into lighter nucleus.

4 Nuclear fusion is the combining of light nuclei to form a heavy nucleus. 5 Table 1 and 2 shows nuclear fission and nuclear fusion Nuclear fission Before reaction Equation + Total atomic mass 240.06082 a.m.u TABLE 1 Table 2 shows an equation of a reaction and total atomic mass before and after a nuclear fusion. 239.85830 a.m.u After reaction

Nuclear fusion Before reaction Equation + Total atomic mass 5.03013 a.m.u 5.01043 a.m.u After reaction

Compare and contrast fission reaction and fusion reaction. Similarities

11 i ii produces energy has mass defect

Differences i heavy nucleus split to lighter nucleus light nucleus form heavier nucleus ii causes chain reaction and fusion does not cause chain reaction

b. Find the mass defect of one nucleus of plutonium-239 240.06082 - 239.85830 = 0.20252 a.m.u 1.66 x 10-27 x0.20252 = 3.36 x 10-28 kg.

c. Calculate the energy released in the nuclear reaction. (The velocity of light is 3 108 m s-1 and 1 amu is 1.66 X 10-27kg) E = mc2 = 3.36 x 10-28 X (3 X 108)2 = 3.024 X 10-11 J 6 Using nuclear fission to generate electricity causes is controversial. State two advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear energy to generate electricity. Advantage i. Does not emit harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. ii. Uses less fuel than power station which burn fossil fuels. Disadvantage i ii Very high initial cost. Can be dangerous if careful precautions are not taken.

5.5 A student is able to: . 5.5.1 describe the negative effects of radioactive substances. 5.5.2 describe safety precautions needed in the handling of radioactive substances. 5.5.3 describe the management of radioactive waste

Fill in the blank

12 1 Radioactive emissions are extremely dangerous to living organisms. The ionisation effect of radiation can cause genetic damage to the molecules of the cells. 2 Effect of radiation can be categorised into two that is somatic effect and genetic effect. Explain the difference and name the symptoms. Somatic effect appears in the person exposed to radiation. Symptoms Fatigue, nausea, hair loss, leukemia, and organ failure. Genetic effect affects the reproductive cells Symptoms birth defect, premature death and cancer at later stage 3. Mutu is carrying out an activity using solid and liquid radioactive source.The radioactive sources have long half lives. Among the apparatus used are forcep, rubber gloves, plastic tray and apron. a). What are the precautionary procedure that need to be observed during the activity. Wear the apron and rubber glove at all time. Use the forcep to handle the solid source. The activities involving the liquid radioactive source must be carried in a plastic tray so that does not spill. b). Describe what steps should Mutu take after the activity to ensure his own safety and the safety of other users of the laboratory. Dispose the rubber glove by following the correct procedure. Wash the forcep and the plastic tray thoroughly. Store the radioactive source in a lead box and lock them in a cupboard. Wash hands.