Test Questions

1. Isotopes, what are they and how do we know how to spot

one?
Isotopes are atoms which have the same number of
protons but a different number of neutrons. We could spot
one by combining the protons and the neutrons of the
atom.
2. What happens in nuclear decay- alpha, beta and gamma?
Alpha Decay: Ejects an alpha particle , 2 protons, 2
neutrons, and 0 electrons (Helium, He)
When a nucleus undergoes alpha decay it loses 2 protons
resulting in a decrease in atomic number and a different
element is formed.
Beta Decay: Ejects a beta particle . Identical to
electrons, very tiny and have a Negative charge.
When a nucleus undergoes beta decay 1 of its neutrons
converts into a proton resulting in an increase in atomic
number by 1 and a different element is formed.
Gamma Ray: Emits an electromagnetic wave known as
gamma rays .
When a nucleus undergoes gamma decay its protons and
neutrons simply rearrange and its nucleus does not emit a
particle.
3. What does it mean by radioactive?
Radioactive means emitting radiation and in other words,
a nuclei that may undergo a nuclear reaction at any time
which is an unstable nuclei.
4. What are half-lives? How can they be calculated?

Half Lives are the rate at which nuclear decay takes place
is measured by a radioisotopes half-life. This is the time it
takes for half of the nuclei to decay.
5. How can radiation be used in the medical field? How can
radiation be harmful?
(i)

Medical Applications:
Treatment of cancers, radiotherapy. The cancer
tumour is exposed to high concentrations of
Radiation which stops them from multiplying.
Unfortunately it also damages healthy cells and has
many serious side effects.

(ii)

Industrial Applications:
Sterilization of medical equipment. Radiation kills
bacteria without the need to use chemicals.

(b). Radiation can be harmful by it causes cancer to grow

in our body. As a result, radiotherapy comes with serious
side effects including skin irritation, ulcers, swelling,
nausea, hair loss, heart disease and secondary cancers.
6. What are the benefits and negatives of nuclear power?
ADVANTAGES:
Geographical limitations - nuclear power plants don't
require a lot of space; they do not need a large plot
like a wind farm. But they have to be built near a
large body of water for cooling purposes - using the
water as a heat sink. They are usually found on the
coast so there is no risk to drinking water sources.
Nuclear power stations do not contribute to carbon
emissions - no CO2 is given out - it therefore does not
contribute to global warming.
Nuclear power stations do not produce smoke
particles to pollute the atmosphere or emit gases
that contribute to acid rain.

 Nuclear energy is by far the most concentrated form

of energy - a lot of energy is produced from a small
mass of fuel. This reduces transport costs - (although
the fuel is radioactive and therefore each transport
that does occur is expensive because of security
implications).
Nuclear power is reliable. It does not depend on the
weather.
We can control the output from a nuclear power
station to fit our needs. It is relatively easy to control
the output - although the time factor for altering
power output is not as small as for fossil fuel stations.
It is said to have a long 'start up' time. It cannot
respond immediately to demand. That is why
electricity companies try to 'even out' demand by
using tariffs that encourage use at off peak time
periods.
Nuclear power produces a small volume of waste
(although that waste is radioactive - see below)
DISADVANTAGES:
Disposal of nuclear waste is very expensive. As it is
radioactive it has to be disposed of in such a way as
it will not pollute the environment.
Decommissioning of nuclear power stations is
expensive and takes a long time. (In fact we have not
yet decommissioned one!)
Nuclear accidents can spread 'radiation producing
particles' over a wide area, this radiation harms the
cells of the body which can make humans sick or
even cause death. Illness can appear or strike people
years after they were exposed to nuclear radiation
and genetic problems can occur too. A possible type
of reactor disaster is known as a meltdown. In a
meltdown, the fission reaction of an atom goes out of
control, which leads to a nuclear explosion releasing
great amounts of radioactive particles into the
environment. See Chernobyl.