PHYSICAL SCIENCE TEST REVIEW EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE CORRECT ANSWERS 2024/2025
Alpha Particles
Beta Particles
Gamma Radiation. Put these different types of radiation in order from MOST to
LEAST penetrating.
Gamma > Beta > Alpha
The meltdown at the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl released radioactive
particles and energy that can damage cells. This damage to cells can be
prevented by all but which of these?
wood
Alpha Particles
Beta Particles
Gamma Radiation
Put these different types of radiation in order from FASTEST to SLOWEST.
Gamma > Beta > Alpha
Many smoke detectors use americium-241 to detect very small particulates in the
air. This is done by using a stream of radioactive particles that can be stopped by
the small smoke particulate. Which type of radiation is MOST LIKELY used in a
smoke detector, as it can be stopped by something this small?
alpha particles
,Uranium-238 goes through at least one alpha decay.
Describe the minimum number of radioactive decay process(es) that U-238 must
go through to form an isotope of radon.
Three alpha decay processes and zero beta decay processes.
While working near a radioactive mine, workers usually wear heavy plastic suits.
These suits protect them from all but
gamma radiation.
14C → 14N
Beta particles are released during the radioactive decay. These negative particles are
attracted to the positive plate in the electric field.
Alpha Particles
Beta Particles
Gamma Radiation
List the types of radiation in order from least to most damaging.
Alpha < Beta < Gamma
Doctors use the radioactive isotope chromium-51 to label red blood cells in the
human body. Chromium-51 gives off relatively ______ alpha particles that can be
stopped by _______ .
weak; a sheet of paper.
,This radioactive particle, emitted from carbon-14, has a negative charge. It
contains sufficient energy to burn human skin and can pass through paper. It is
a(n) ___________ particle.
beta
Certain nuclear radiation that is passed through the electric field (above) is
deflected towards the red plate.
In what way is the nucleus changed by this type of decay?
A neutron is converted to a proton.
A beta and gamma source, Co-60, was placed in a chamber which was first lined
with paper and then, after, with copper and lead. A Geiger counter was used in
both cases to detect the emission of radiation. You expect
strong emissions when the chamber is paper lined; faint emissions when lead lined.
Most radiation is released as particles. Identify the type radiation that is not a
particle.
gamma
Patients with brain tumors may elect to have a procedure known as Gamma
Knife. In a typical Gamma Knife procedure gamma rays are directed toward a
tumor with contact to surrounding tissues.
gamma rays are high energy and may cause damage to healthy cells.
Problem: To determine what conditions change the amount of radiation received
from a radioactive source.
, Materials: Geiger counter, radioactive source for both beta particles and gamma
waves, aluminum, cardboard, and lead barriers
The Geiger counter probe was placed behind a frame that was capable of holding
sheets of various materials: cardboard, aluminum, and lead. The beta source and
the gamma wave source were placed on one side of the framework and the
Geiger counter probe on the other. An initial reading was made and recorded.
One sheet of cardboard was placed between the beta source and the probe, and a
reading was taken. More sheets were added, as noted in the data table, and
radiation readings were taken. The cardboard sheets were then replaced by
aluminum, and finally lead, in the same sequence as before.
Consider this experiment concerning penetration power of radioactive particles
and waves. In order for the data to be reliable and valid, what control(s) should be
specified in the experimental procedures?
distance radiation source is placed from barrier and duration of radioactive emissions
This electromagnetic wave has a very high penetrating power. It is emitted during
the decay of many radioactive isotopes, such as U-238 and I-131. It is a
__________ wave.
gamma
A reaction takes place, with the release of billions of joules of energy. Which of
these might have participated in the reaction?
the nucleus
COMPLETE CORRECT ANSWERS 2024/2025
Alpha Particles
Beta Particles
Gamma Radiation. Put these different types of radiation in order from MOST to
LEAST penetrating.
Gamma > Beta > Alpha
The meltdown at the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl released radioactive
particles and energy that can damage cells. This damage to cells can be
prevented by all but which of these?
wood
Alpha Particles
Beta Particles
Gamma Radiation
Put these different types of radiation in order from FASTEST to SLOWEST.
Gamma > Beta > Alpha
Many smoke detectors use americium-241 to detect very small particulates in the
air. This is done by using a stream of radioactive particles that can be stopped by
the small smoke particulate. Which type of radiation is MOST LIKELY used in a
smoke detector, as it can be stopped by something this small?
alpha particles
,Uranium-238 goes through at least one alpha decay.
Describe the minimum number of radioactive decay process(es) that U-238 must
go through to form an isotope of radon.
Three alpha decay processes and zero beta decay processes.
While working near a radioactive mine, workers usually wear heavy plastic suits.
These suits protect them from all but
gamma radiation.
14C → 14N
Beta particles are released during the radioactive decay. These negative particles are
attracted to the positive plate in the electric field.
Alpha Particles
Beta Particles
Gamma Radiation
List the types of radiation in order from least to most damaging.
Alpha < Beta < Gamma
Doctors use the radioactive isotope chromium-51 to label red blood cells in the
human body. Chromium-51 gives off relatively ______ alpha particles that can be
stopped by _______ .
weak; a sheet of paper.
,This radioactive particle, emitted from carbon-14, has a negative charge. It
contains sufficient energy to burn human skin and can pass through paper. It is
a(n) ___________ particle.
beta
Certain nuclear radiation that is passed through the electric field (above) is
deflected towards the red plate.
In what way is the nucleus changed by this type of decay?
A neutron is converted to a proton.
A beta and gamma source, Co-60, was placed in a chamber which was first lined
with paper and then, after, with copper and lead. A Geiger counter was used in
both cases to detect the emission of radiation. You expect
strong emissions when the chamber is paper lined; faint emissions when lead lined.
Most radiation is released as particles. Identify the type radiation that is not a
particle.
gamma
Patients with brain tumors may elect to have a procedure known as Gamma
Knife. In a typical Gamma Knife procedure gamma rays are directed toward a
tumor with contact to surrounding tissues.
gamma rays are high energy and may cause damage to healthy cells.
Problem: To determine what conditions change the amount of radiation received
from a radioactive source.
, Materials: Geiger counter, radioactive source for both beta particles and gamma
waves, aluminum, cardboard, and lead barriers
The Geiger counter probe was placed behind a frame that was capable of holding
sheets of various materials: cardboard, aluminum, and lead. The beta source and
the gamma wave source were placed on one side of the framework and the
Geiger counter probe on the other. An initial reading was made and recorded.
One sheet of cardboard was placed between the beta source and the probe, and a
reading was taken. More sheets were added, as noted in the data table, and
radiation readings were taken. The cardboard sheets were then replaced by
aluminum, and finally lead, in the same sequence as before.
Consider this experiment concerning penetration power of radioactive particles
and waves. In order for the data to be reliable and valid, what control(s) should be
specified in the experimental procedures?
distance radiation source is placed from barrier and duration of radioactive emissions
This electromagnetic wave has a very high penetrating power. It is emitted during
the decay of many radioactive isotopes, such as U-238 and I-131. It is a
__________ wave.
gamma
A reaction takes place, with the release of billions of joules of energy. Which of
these might have participated in the reaction?
the nucleus
