GCSE Physics Revision — Radioactivity (GCSE)
Revise Radioactivity (GCSE) for GCSE Physics with a topic explanation, worked example and common mistakes. Check the board notes for specification differences.
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What is Radioactivity (GCSE)?
Radioactivity is the spontaneous decay of an unstable atomic nucleus, which results in the emission of radiation. This process is random and cannot be predicted for a single nucleus. The three main types of radiation are alpha, beta, and gamma.
Board notes: Covered by all major boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR). The properties of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are a key part of this topic.
Step-by-step explanationWorked examples
Worked example
An unstable nucleus of Uranium-238 decays by emitting an alpha particle. What is the new nucleus formed? Solution: An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. So the new nucleus will have an atomic number of 92 - 2 = 90 and a mass number of 238 - 4 = 234. The element with atomic number 90 is Thorium. So the new nucleus is Thorium-234.
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Common mistakes
- 1Thinking that all atoms are radioactive. Only atoms with unstable nuclei are radioactive.
- 2Confusing radioactivity with radiation. Radioactivity is the process of decay, while radiation is what is emitted.
- 3Believing that radioactive decay can be sped up or slowed down. The rate of decay is not affected by chemical or physical conditions like temperature or pressure.
Radioactivity (GCSE) exam questions
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Frequently asked questions
What is background radiation?
Background radiation is the low-level radiation that is present all around us from both natural sources (like rocks and cosmic rays) and artificial sources (like medical x-rays and nuclear power stations).
How is radioactivity measured?
Radioactivity is measured using a Geiger-Müller (GM) tube, which clicks or gives a reading on a counter (in Becquerels, Bq) when it detects radiation.