Radioactive Decay 2

Test yourself

Detecting Radioactivity

There are three primary ways of detecting radioactivity.

Geiger counter (Geiger-Muller tube)

Ionising radiation enters a tube full of low-pressure gases.
It ionises the atoms in the gas, knocking electrons out of the atoms.
The gas can now conduct electricity and completes an electric circuit. Current flows between electrodes.
The current produces a clicking noise.
The count-rate is the number of decays recorded each second.

Photographic film

Ionising radiation has the same effect on photographic film as light.
A bright spot appears wherever the ionising radiation hits the film.

Cloud chamber

A cloud chamber is a container full of air containing alcohol vapour.
Ionising radiation enters the air and leaves a trail of ionised air molecules.
The alcohol vapour condenses on the ionised air molecules, showing the trail of radiation.

Background Radiation

Unstable atoms (or isotopes) are very common. They even exist in our bodies. They decay radioactively and this means that we are always surrounded by background radiation.

Rocks

Rocks like granite contain small amounts of uranium salts.
Over time, the uranium decays, releasing other radioactive nuclei.

Food

Fruits high in potassium, like bananas, are very slightly radioactive.

Radon

Radon is a gas that emits alpha particles.
If we breathe in alpha particles, alpha radiation will reach our lung tissue.

The sun

The sun emits some ionising radiation

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

3.1States of Matter

3.1.1Atomic Structure

3.1.2Atomic Structure 2

3.1.3Density

3.1.4Density - Calculations

3.1.5Changes of State

3.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Density

3.2Heat

3.2.1Internal Energy

3.2.2Heat Capacities

3.2.3Internal Energy - Calculations

3.2.4Latent Heat

3.2.5Latent Heat - Calculations

3.2.6Latent Heat Experiments

3.3Particle Motion in Gases

3.3.1Particle Motion in Gases

3.3.2Particle Motion in Gases 2

3.3.3End of Topic Test - Particle Model of Matter

3.3.4Grade 9 - Particle Model of Matter

3.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Specific Heat Capacity

4Atoms & Radiation

4.1Atoms

4.1.1Atomic Model

4.1.2Atomic Model 2

4.1.3Atoms & Ions

4.1.4Isotopes

4.1.5Exam-Style Questions - Atomic Structure

4.2Radiation

4.2.1Radioactive Decay

4.2.2Radioactive Decay 2

4.2.3Types of Radioactive Emission

4.2.4Fission & Fusion

4.2.5Radioactive Decay Equations

4.2.6Radio. decay equations - Calculations

4.2.7Half Lives & Ionising Radiation

4.2.8Half Life - Calculations

4.2.9Uses & Dangers of Radiation

4.2.10Uses & Dangers of Radiation 2

4.2.11End of Topic Test - Atoms & Radiation

4.2.12Grade 9 - Radiation

4.2.13Exam-Style Questions - Radioactive Decay

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.1.1Basics of Motion

5.1.2Basics of Motion 2

5.1.3Basics of Motion 3

5.1.4Distance- & Speed-Time Graphs

5.1.5Average Speed - Calculations

5.1.6Acceleration - Calculations

5.1.7Uniform Acceleration - Calculations

5.1.8Grade 9 - Motion

5.1.9Exam-Style Questions - Motion

5.2Forces

5.2.1Gravity

5.2.2Gravity - Calculations

5.2.3Resultant Forces

5.2.4Newton Second Law - Calculations

5.2.5Force Diagrams

5.2.6Free Body Diagrams - Calculations

5.2.7Stretching a Spring

5.2.8Hooke's Law

5.2.9Hooke's Law - Calculations

5.2.10Elastic Potential Energy

5.2.11Elastic Potential - Calculations

5.2.12Exam-Style Questions - Elastic Potential Energy

5.3Effects of Forces

5.3.1Acceleration

5.3.2Acceleration 2

5.3.3Momentum

5.3.4Change in Momentum - Calculations

5.3.5Momentum - Calculations

5.3.6Moments

5.3.7Moments - Calculations

5.3.8Circular Motion

5.3.9Levers & Gears

5.3.10Stopping Distance

5.3.11Decelerations

5.3.12Stopping Distance - Calculations

5.4Pressure

5.4.1Pressure

5.4.2Pressure - Calculations

5.4.3Liquid Pressure - Calculations

5.4.4Pressure Changes

5.4.5End of Topic Test - Forces

5.4.6Exam-Style Questions - Pressure

6Waves

6.1Wave Basics

6.1.1Basics & Formula

6.1.2Wave Speed - Calculations

6.1.3Describing Waves

6.1.4Wave Frequency - Calculations

6.1.5Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

6.1.6Required Practical - Ripple Tank

6.2Waves at a Boundary

6.2.1Waves at a Boundary

6.2.2Waves at a Boundary 2

6.3Sound Waves

6.3.1Sound Waves

6.3.2Sound Waves 2

6.3.3Uses of Sound Waves

6.3.4Sound Waves - Calculations

6.3.5End of Topic Test - Introduction to Waves

6.3.6Exam-Style Questions - Wave Speed

6.4Electromagnetic Waves

6.4.1Properties

6.4.2Gamma, X-Ray & UV Light

6.4.3Infrared, Microwave & Radio Waves

6.4.4Properties 2

6.4.5Visible Light

6.4.6Visible Light 2

6.4.7Grade 9 - Waves

6.5Lenses

6.5.1Lenses

6.5.2Lenses - Calculations

6.5.3Images & Ray Diagrams

6.6Heat & Radiation

6.6.1Infrared Radiation

6.6.2Temperature

6.6.3Greenhouse Effect

6.6.4End of Topic Test - EM Waves, Lenses & Heat

6.6.5Exam-Style Questions - EM Radiation

7Magnetism

7.1Magnetism Basics

7.1.1Magnetic Materials

7.1.2Magnetic Fields

7.2Electromagnetism

7.2.1Electromagnetism

7.2.2Electromagnetism 2

7.2.3Motor Effect

7.2.4Magnetic Flux - Calculations

7.2.5Motors

7.2.6Induced Potential

7.2.7Induced Potential 2

7.2.8Generator Effect

7.2.9Generator Effect 2

7.3Transformers

7.3.1Transformers

7.3.2Transformers 2

7.3.3Transformers 3

7.3.4Transformers - Calculations

7.3.5Transformers 2 - Calculations

7.3.6End of Topic Test - Magnetism

7.3.7Grade 9 - Transformers

7.3.8Exam-Style Questions - Magnetic Fields

8Astrophysics

8.1Astrophysics

8.1.1The Solar System

8.1.2The Solar System - Calculations

8.1.3Orbits

8.1.4Orbits HyperLearning

8.1.5Life Cycle of a Star

8.1.6The Universe

8.1.7End of Topic Test - Astrophysics

8.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Astrophysics

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