Radiation Types and Uses Worksheet

Question 1

Which type in the introduction has positive charge?

1. Alpha
2. Beta-minus
3. Gamma
4. All three

Question 2

Explain why gamma emission can change a nucleus’s energy without changing its mass number or atomic number.

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Question 3

Which pair consists of one massive charged particle and one uncharged photon?

1. Alpha and beta-minus
2. Alpha and gamma
3. Two alpha particles
4. Two beta-minus particles

Question 4

Explain why an observation that one barrier reduces a reading does not establish that it blocks every type of radiation.

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Question 5

Which source’s reading changes least when barrier X is introduced?

1. P
2. Q
3. R
4. All three change equally.

Question 6

Calculate the decrease in Q’s count when barrier Y is introduced, compared with no barrier.

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Question 7

Which source best fits a model use where the detector must still register at least 50 counts behind barrier Y?

1. P only
2. Q only
3. R only
4. P and Q

Question 8

A student says barrier X and barrier Y have the same effect on Q. Use the readings to evaluate the claim.

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