Measuring Half Lives

Measuring Half-Life

To find the half-life of a radioactive isotope, we must strip out the background radiation of the environment around us.

Calculation

The level of radiation due to substance = level of radiation with substance and background radiation - level of background radiation.

Equipment

We can work out the level of background radiation using a Geiger counter.

Half-Lives

The half-life is the average time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei to halve. The activity of a radioactive substance is measured in Becquerels (Bq).

Predicting half-lives

The radioactive decay of an individual atom is random and unpredictable.
However, large groups of nuclei do normally behave in predictable ways.

Constant half-lives

The half-life is the average time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei to halve.
The half-life for any isotope of an element is constant.
The half-life of unstable isotopes can be seconds or millions of years.

Measuring half-lives

To find the half-life of an isotope from a graph or table,
Measure the time that it takes for the radioactive count rate or the number of unstable nuclei to halve.

Background radiation

To find the half-life of a radioactive isotope, we must strip out the background radiation of the environment around us.
The equation for calculating substance radiation is:
- Substance radiation = total radiation − background radiation

Measuring background radiation

We can measure the level of background radiation using a Geiger counter.

1Energy

1.1Energy Changes

1.1.1Energy Stores

1.1.2Energy Storing

1.1.3Internal Energy

1.1.4Kinetic Energy Storage

1.1.5Gravitational Potential Energy Storage

1.1.6Elastic Potential Energy Storage

1.1.7Calculating Changes in Energy

1.1.8Changes in Kinetic Energy - Calculations

1.1.9Changes in GPE - Calculations

1.1.10Changes in EPE - Calculations

1.1.11Energy Transfers

1.1.12Energy Transfer Examples

1.1.13Mechanical Work Done

1.1.14Mechanical Work Done Equation

1.1.15Mechanical Work - Calculations

1.1.16Electrical Work Done

1.1.17Power

1.1.18Electrical Work Done- Calculations

1.2Energy Losses & Efficiency

1.2.1Energy Wastage

1.2.2Efficiency

1.2.3Reducing Energy Loss

1.2.4Power & Energy Transfer

1.2.5Efficiency - Calculations

1.2.6Grade 9 - Energy & Efficiency

1.3Energy Resources

1.3.1Energy Resources

1.3.2Fossil Fuels

1.3.3Geothermal Energy

1.3.4Wind Energy

1.3.5Water Energy

1.3.6Tidal Energy

1.3.7Nuclear Energy

1.3.8Solar Energy

1.3.9Original Source of Energy

1.3.10Non-Renewable and Renewable Resources

1.3.11Uses of Energy Sources

1.3.12Changing Electricity Use

1.3.13Renewable Energy

1.3.14End of Topic Test - Energy

1.3.15Exam-Style Questions - Energy

2Electricity

2.1Electric Charge

2.1.1Circuit Diagrams

2.1.2Circuit Symbols

2.1.3Current

2.1.4Current Equation

2.1.5Current - Calculations

2.1.6Conductors

2.1.7Potential Difference

2.1.8Voltage Equation

2.1.9Measurements in Circuit

2.1.10Voltage - Calculations

2.2Resistance & Electrical Work

2.2.1Resistance

2.2.2Resistance Graph

2.2.3Diodes

2.2.4LDRs and Thermistors

2.2.5Electrical Work

2.2.6Power

2.2.7Ohm's Law

2.2.8Resistance and Ohms Law - Calculations

2.2.9Electrical Work - Calculations

2.3Electric Circuits

2.3.1Series Circuits

2.3.2Resistors

2.3.3Cells

2.3.4Potential Difference

2.3.5Series Circuits - Calculations

2.3.6Parallel Circuits

2.3.7Parallel Current

2.3.8Parallel Resistance

2.3.9Lights in Parallel

2.3.10Parallel Circuits - Calculations

2.3.11Grade 9 - Circuits

2.3.12Exam-Style Questions - Electricity

2.4Electricity in Homes

2.4.1AC/DC

2.4.2Mains Electricity

2.4.3Power Ratings

2.4.4National Grid

2.4.5Domestic Uses - Calculations

2.4.6Fuses & Circuit Breakers

2.4.7Earthing

2.4.8Dangers of the Live Wire

2.4.9End of Topic Test - Electricity

2.5Static Electricity

2.5.1Electrical Charge

2.5.2Charging an Object

2.5.3Charged Objects

2.5.4Static Electricity

2.5.5Electric Fields

3Particle Model of Matter

3.1States of Matter

3.1.1Atomic Model

3.1.2Atomic Structure

3.1.3Sub-Atomic Particles

3.1.4Models of the Atom

3.1.5Alpha Particles

3.1.6Electron Arrangements

3.1.7Density

3.1.8Density Equation

3.1.9Density and the Particle Model

3.1.10Density - Calculations

3.1.11Changes of State

3.1.12Exam-Style Questions - Density

3.2Heat

3.2.1Internal Energy

3.2.2Change in Thermal Energy

3.2.3Specific Heat Capacity Experiment

3.2.4Equation for Heat Capacity

3.2.5Leslie's Cube

3.2.6Internal Energy - Calculations

3.2.7Melting and Boiling

3.2.8Latent Heat

3.2.9Energy Change for Change of State

3.2.10Latent Heat - Calculations

3.2.11Latent Heat Experiments

3.3Particle Motion in Gases

3.3.1States of Matter

3.3.2Properties of Gases

3.3.3Temperature Increase in a Gas

3.3.4Work Done on a Gas

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Particle Model of Matter

3.3.6Grade 9 - Particle Model of Matter

3.3.7Exam-Style Questions - Specific Heat Capacity

4Atoms & Radiation

4.1Atoms

4.1.1Atomic Model

4.1.2Structure of an Atom

4.1.3Sub-Atomic Particles

4.1.4Alpha Particles

4.1.5The Model of the Atom

4.1.6Electron Arrangements

4.1.7Proton and Nucleon

4.1.8Atoms and Ions

4.1.9Isotopes

4.1.10Carbon Nuclides

4.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Atomic Structure

4.2Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.1.1Velocity

5.1.2Average Speed

5.1.3Adding Vectors

5.1.4Acceleration

5.1.5Distance vs Displacement

5.1.6Contact and Non-Contact Forces

5.1.7Distance-Time Graphs

5.1.8Speed-Time Graphs

5.1.9Average Speed - Calculations

5.1.10Acceleration - Calculations

5.1.11Uniform Acceleration - Calculations

5.1.12Grade 9 - Motion

5.1.13Exam-Style Questions - Motion

5.2Forces

5.2.1Mass and Inertia

5.2.2Weight

5.2.3Centre of Mass

5.2.4Gravity - Calculations

5.2.5Resultant Forces

5.2.6Newton's First Law

5.2.7Newton's Third Law

5.2.8Newton Second Law - Calculations

5.2.9Free Body Force Diagrams

5.2.10Components of Forces

5.2.11Free Body Diagrams - Calculations

5.2.12Stretching a Spring

5.2.13Hooke's Law and Equation

5.2.14Spring Experiment

5.2.15Hooke's Law - Calculations

5.2.16Elastic Potential Energy

5.2.17Elastic Potential - Calculations

5.2.18Exam-Style Questions - Elastic Potential Energy

5.3Effects of Forces

5.3.1Acceleration

5.3.2Air Resistance and Friction

5.3.3Graphing Acceleration

5.3.4Momentum

5.3.5Momentum: Law of Conservation

5.3.6Force and Momentum Change

5.3.7Change in Momentum - Calculations

5.3.8Momentum - Calculations

5.3.9Moments

5.3.10Equilibrium

5.3.11Moments - Calculations

5.3.12Circular Motion

5.3.13Levers & Gears

5.3.14Stopping Distance

5.3.15Factors Affecting Stopping Distance

5.3.16Decelerations

5.3.17Stopping Distance - Calculations

5.4Pressure

5.4.1Pressure & Force on Container

5.4.2Atmospheric Pressure

5.4.3Liquid Pressure

5.4.4Pressure - Calculations

5.4.5Liquid Pressure - Calculations

5.4.6Upthrust

5.4.7Pressure Difference

5.4.8End of Topic Test - Forces

5.4.9Exam-Style Questions - Pressure

6Waves

6.1Wave Basics

6.1.1Wave Basics

6.1.2Wave Speed Formula

6.1.3Wave Speed Equation

6.1.4Wave Speed - Calculations

6.1.5Wave Frequency Formula

6.1.6Wavelength and Amplitude

6.1.7Wave Frequency - Calculations

6.1.8Transverse Waves

6.1.9Longitudinal Wave

6.1.10Required Practical - Ripple Tank

6.2Waves at a Boundary

6.2.1Waves at a Boundary

6.2.2Reflection of Light

6.2.3Refraction of Light

6.2.4Internal Reflection

6.3Sound Waves

6.3.1Sound Waves

6.3.2Sound Waves and our Ears

6.3.3Speed of Sound

6.3.4Speed of Sound Experiment

6.3.5Sound as a Wave

6.3.6Uses of Sound Waves: Ultrasound Waves

6.3.7Uses of Sound Waves: Earthquakes

6.3.8Sound Waves - Calculations

6.3.9End of Topic Test - Introduction to Waves

6.3.10Exam-Style Questions - Wave Speed

6.4Electromagnetic Waves

6.4.1Properties

6.4.2Gamma Rays

6.4.3X-Rays

6.4.4UV Light

6.4.5Infrared Radiation

6.4.6Microwaves

6.4.7Radio Waves

6.4.8Properties 2

6.4.9Visible Light

6.4.10Specular and Diffuse Reflection

6.4.11Colours

6.4.12Grade 9 - Waves

6.5Lenses

6.5.1Lenses

6.5.2Convex Lens

6.5.3Concave Lens

6.5.4Lenses - Calculations

6.5.5Images

6.5.6Ray Diagrams

6.6Heat & Radiation

6.6.1Infrared Radiation

6.6.2Radiation & Surface Colour

6.6.3Surface Area & Temperature

6.6.4Temperature

6.6.5Greenhouse Effect

6.6.6Energy Balance of the Earth

6.6.7End of Topic Test - EM Waves, Lenses & Heat

6.6.8Exam-Style Questions - EM Radiation

7Magnetism

7.1Magnetism Basics

7.1.1Magnetism

7.1.2Magnetic Materials

7.1.3Induced Magnetism

7.1.4Magnetic Fields

7.1.5Magnetic Field Patterns

7.2Electromagnetism

7.2.1The Magnetic Effect of a Current

7.2.2Solenoid Field

7.2.3Magnetic Field Strength

7.2.4Uses of Electromagnets

7.2.5Motor Effect

7.2.6Magnetic Flux Equation

7.2.7Magnetic Flux - Calculations

7.2.8Electric Motors

7.2.9Force Acting on a Coil in a Magnetic Field

7.2.10Induced Potential Difference

7.2.11Magnetic Field Direction

7.2.12Forces Between Electricity and Magnets

7.2.13AC/DC

7.2.14Generator Effect

7.3Transformers

7.3.1Transformers

7.3.2Transformer Equation

7.3.3Step-Up and Step-Down Transformers

7.3.4Principles of Transformer Operation

7.3.5High-Voltage Transmission and Transformers

7.3.6Energy in Transformers

7.3.7Power Losses in Cables

7.3.8Transformers - Calculations

7.3.9Transformers 2 - Calculations

7.3.10End of Topic Test - Magnetism

7.3.11Grade 9 - Transformers

7.3.12Exam-Style Questions - Magnetic Fields

8Astrophysics

8.1Astrophysics

8.1.1The Solar System

8.1.2The Sun

8.1.3The Solar System - Calculations

8.1.4Orbits

8.1.5Stable Orbits

8.1.6Orbits HyperLearning

8.1.7Life Cycle of a Star

8.1.8Creation of Elements

8.1.9Red-shift

8.1.10The Big Bang Theory

8.1.11Gaps in Knowledge

8.1.12End of Topic Test - Astrophysics

8.1.13Exam-Style Questions - Astrophysics

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