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AQA Physics Combined Science Unit 4: Atomic Structure Higher

a c e
Complete the diagram below to show where in an atom you would find Two isotopes of carbon are shown below: Radioactive decay is the process of the nucleus emitting ionising
the protons, neutrons and electrons. radiation.

C C
12 14 The unit for radioactivity is…
6 6 

Explain the term count rate.

Define the term isotope.
 


Name the piece of equipment used to determine count rate.

Explain why alpha radiation would not be used as a medical tracer. 


 Name three safety precautions to be taken when handling a
 radioactive source.


 Explain the effect that half-life has on the choice of medical tracer. 1. 

 2. 
Explain why atoms have no overall charge.
 3. 


 d f
Describe the plum pudding model of the atom. State the difference between irradiation and contamination.
keywords: exposed, radioactive, contaminated, harmful

b
Complete the sentences by deleting the incorrect answer.  


Most of the mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus/electron
shells. The radius of the nucleus is 1000/10 000 times smaller/larger 
than the radius of the atom. 

The element sodium is shown below. 

Complete the following equation for the alpha decay of uranium-234:

Na
11

U Th + He
234
23
92
Sodium has the following number of…

protons: Complete the following equation for the beta decay of lead-214:
neutrons:

electrons:
Pb Bi + e
214

82

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AQA Physics Combined Science Unit 4: Atomic Structure Higher
a e
Complete the following table. Define the term half-life

Type of Radiation Description Penetration Range in Air Ionising Power 

Substance A is a radioactive material that will change with time. The data below shows the radioactivity of
stopped by
alpha helium nucleus a few substance A.

Time (days) 0 2 4 6 8 10
stopped by
high-speed electron several Count rate
120 60 30 15 7.5 3.75
(counts/second)

stopped by
EM radiation at least a
120
Plot a half-life graph on the
graph paper. 110

Use your graph to calculate

100
the half-life.
b d
Cobalt-60 has an activity rate of 1000Bq and a The equations below show the alpha decay of
90
half-life of 5 years. What will be the activity after radon and the beta decay of carbon-14.
10 years? 80
215 4
radon polonium + 2 He
219
 86 84

Counts per minute

70

14 0
carbon nitrogen + -1e
14
 60
6 7

50
What effect do alpha and beta decay have on the

mass of the nucleus? 40

c alpha:
Fill in the blanks: 30

Electrons are arranged in different
 20
levels around the . If electromagnetic

is absorbed, then electrons move 10

from the (to a higher

beta: 0
energy level). If electromagnetic is 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

emitted, then the electrons move to a Times (days)

(closer to the nucleus).


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AQA Physics Combined Science Unit 4: Atomic Structure Higher Answers
a c e
Complete the diagram below to show where in an atom you would find Two isotopes of carbon are shown below: Radioactive decay is the process of the nucleus emitting ionising
the protons, neutrons and electrons. radiation.

C C
12 14 The unit for radioactivity is…
6 6 Bq (becquerels)

Explain the term count rate.

Define the term isotope.
Different versions of the same element with the same number of protons The number of radiation counts per second.
but different numbers of neutrons.
Name the piece of equipment used to determine count rate.
Explain why alpha radiation would not be used as a medical tracer.
Geiger-Müller tube.
It is the most ionising radiation so would cause the most damage to
electrons cells/DNA in the body. Name three safety precautions to be taken when handling a
protons radioactive source.
Explain the effect that half-life has on the choice of medical tracer.
neutrons The half-life needs to be long enough to ensure that the medical staff 1. wear gloves.
can get the results required, but not so long that the patient is left 2. Use tongs to hold the source.
Explain why atoms have no overall charge. radioactive for a long time.
3. wear protective clothing.
Atoms have no overall charge because the number of protons equals
the number of electrons. This means the positive charges (protons) are
equal to the negative charges (electrons). d f
Describe the plum pudding model of the atom. State the difference between irradiation and contamination.
keywords: exposed, radioactive, contaminated, harmful
Atoms are spheres of positive charge with negatively charged electrons
b Irradiation means an object has been exposed to a radioactive source
Complete the sentences by deleting the incorrect answer. stuck in them.
but is not radioactive.
Most of the mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus/electron Contamination involves radioactive particles getting onto an object. It
shells. The radius of the nucleus is 1000/10 000 times smaller/larger is contaminated and is harmful.
than the radius of the atom.

The element sodium is shown below.

Complete the following equation for the alpha decay of uranium-234:

Na
11

U Th + He
234 230 4
23
92 90 2

Sodium has the following number of…

Complete the following equation for the beta decay of lead-214:
protons: 11

neutrons: 12

Pb Bi + e
214 214 0
electrons: 11 82 83 -1

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AQA Physics Combined Science Unit 4: Atomic Structure Higher Answers
a e
Complete the following table. Define the term half-life

The time taken for the radioactivity of a specified isotope to fall to half its original value.

Type of Radiation Description Penetration Range in Air Ionising Power

Substance A is a radioactive material that will change with time. The data below shows the radioactivity of
alpha helium nucleus stopped by paper a few cms strong substance A.

Time (days) 0 2 4 6 8 10
stopped by
beta high-speed electron several metres medium Count rate
aluminium 120 60 30 15 7.5 3.75
(counts/second)

gamma EM radiation stopped by lead at least a km weak 120

Plot a half-life graph on the

110
graph paper.

100
Use your graph to calculate
the half-life.
b d 90
Cobalt-60 has an activity rate of 1000Bq and a The equations below show the alpha decay of
2 days
half-life of 5 years. What will be the activity after radon and the beta decay of carbon-14.
80
10 years?
215 4
radon polonium + 2 He
219
250

Counts per minute

70
86 84

60
14 0
carbon nitrogen + -1e
14
6 7
50

What effect do alpha and beta decay have on the

40
mass of the nucleus?

30
c alpha:
Fill in the blanks:
The mass is reduced.
Electrons are arranged in different energy levels 20

around the nucleus. If electromagnetic radiation

beta: 10
is absorbed, then electrons move further from the The mass is unchanged because a neutron changes
nucleus (to a higher energy level). If electromagnetic into a proton.
0
radiation is emitted, then the electrons move to a 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

lower energy level (closer to the nucleus). Times (days)

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