Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Mr. Kenneath Y.

SPM 2003
6. As a researcher, you are asked to investigate the characteristics of a
certain radioactive isotope that could be used to detect the thickness of
paper in a paper factory.
a) What does the term isotope mean? [1 mark]
b) The table below shows the characteristic of five isotopes.
Isotope

Characteristics of isotope
State of
Emitted
Half-life Penetratin
matter
radiation
g power
Solid
Beta
28 years Medium

Strontium90
Cobalt-60 Solid
Gamma
5 years
High
Xenon-133 Gas
Beta
5 days
High
Water
Liquid
Beta
12 years Medium
containing
H-3
Polonium- Solid
Alpha
140 days Low
210
Based on the table above,
i.
Explain the suitable characteristics of isotopes so that it can
be used to measure the thickness of paper in a paper industry.
ii. Select the most suitable isotope to be used in detecting the
thickness of paper in the factory and give your reason. [10
marks]

Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Mr. Kenneath Y.

c) Suggest briefly the arrangement of the paper thickness detector

apparatus and state how radioactivity is used to detect the thickness
of the paper. [3 marks]

d) Sketch a graph of activity against time to illustrate how radioactive

materials decay. Use your graph to explain how the half life is
determined. [4 marks]

e) The half life of cobalt-60 is 5 years. Calculate the time taken for the
activity of this isotope to decay to 12.5% of its initial value. [2
marks]
SPM 2004
7. Production of nuclear energy and detecting the volume the volume of
a material are two examples of the use of radioactive in industry.
Table shows an equation of a reaction and total atomic mass before
and after a nuclear fusion.
Nuclear fission
Before reaction After reaction
Equation
Total atomic
mass

239
94

145
56

Pu+ 0n

240.06082
a.m.u

93

Ba+ 38 Sr +2 0n+energy

239.85830 a.m.u

Table below shows an equation of a reaction and total atomic mass

before and after a nuclear fusion.
Nuclear fusion
Before reaction
Equation
Total atomic

2
1

3
1

H+ H

5.03013 a.m.u

After reaction
4
2

1
He
+2 0n+ energy

5.01043a.m.u

Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Mr. Kenneath Y.

mass
a) i. What is meant by nuclear fission? [1 mark]

ii. Using only the information given in the tables above, compare
nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Hence state the relationship
between mass and energy evolved. [5 marks]

b) Nuclear fission produces a chain reaction. Describe how the chain

reaction happens in a nuclear fission of an atom of uranium. [4
marks]

c) A paint producing factory wants to develop a volume control

system which can ensure the quantity of paint in every tin is within
a specific range. The tins of paint are transported on conveyor belt
as shown in the figure below. If the volume of the paint is less or
more than the specific range of volume, the tin will be separated
automatically.

Using your knowledge and radioactivity and figure above, explain

i.
The radioactive material and equipment to develop the
volume control
ii. system
iii. How the equipment is assembled
iv. How the system works [10 marks]

Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Mr. Kenneath Y.

SPM 2006
8. Radioactive material has some uses in the medical field such as in the
investigation of internal organs and in the sterilization of equipments.

a) A doctor conducts an investigation on a patients kidney by

injecting iodine-131 radioisotope, that has a half life of 8 days, into
the blood circulation. A normal kidney can expel the radioisotope in
20 minutes. The presence of radioisotope in the left and right
kidneys is shown in the graph below.
i.
What is meant by half life? [1 mark]
ii.

Based on the graphs in diagram above, which kidney is not

functioning properly? Give one reason. [2 marks]

iii.

The initial iodine-131 activity is 1600 counts per second.

Calculate the time taken for the iodine-131 activity to
decrease to 100 counts per second. [2 marks]

b) Medical equipment is sterilized by radiation from a radioactive

source. You are assigned to study the characteristics of some

Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Mr. Kenneath Y.

radioisotopes that are suitable for use in the sterilization of medical

equipment. Table shows the characteristics of five radioisotopes.
Radioisotope

Characteristics of isotope
State of
Type of ray Half life
matter
Strontium-90 Solid
Beta
28 years
Cobalt-60
Solid
Gamma
5 years
Xenon-133
Gas
Beta
5 days
Iodine-131
Liquid
Gamma
8 days
PoloniumSolid
Alpha
140 days
210
i.
Explain the suitability of the characteristics of the
radioisotope to be used in the sterilization of medical
equipment. [6 marks]

ii.

Determine the most suitable radioisotope to be used and give

one reason for your choice. [2 marks]

c) Gamma rays can produce an effect in photographic film. Explain

whether gamma rays is suitable to be used in taking photographs of
an organ in humans. [3 marks]

SPM 2009
9. Diagram below shows the rate of decay of radioactive xenon-133 and
iodine-131 respectively.

Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Mr. Kenneath Y.

a) i. What is the meaning of radioactive decay? [1 mark]

ii. Based on the diagrams above, compare the shape of the graph,
the way the activity changes with time and the time taken for the
activity to become half of its original activity. Name the time for
the activity to decrease to half of its original activity. [5 marks]
b) Why is an isotope that emits alpha particles not suitable for use as a
tracer in medicine? [4 marks]

c) Radiotheraphy is used in the treatment of cancer. The radioactive

ray used can cause side effects to the patient. Using the knowledge
about radioactivity, explain the steps taken to reduce the side
effects. In your explanation, emphasize the aspects of:
i.
The type of ray used
ii. How the radioactive radiation is targeted on the cancer cells.
iii. The dosage of the ray required.
iv. The time of the ray exposure. [10 marks]

SPM 2011
10. a) Diagram 12.1 shows two types of tracks formed in a cloud chamber.
The tracks are formed due to the radiation from the radioisotope.

Chapter 5: Radioactivity

i.
ii.
iii.

Mr. Kenneath Y.

What is the meaning of radioisotope? [1 mark]

Name the radiation that causes the tracks in cloud chamber M and
cloud chamber N? [2 marks]
Explain your answer in a)ii. [2 marks]

b) Radioisotope is used as a tracer to determine the rate of absorption of

fertilizers by plants. You are required to investigate the characteristics of
radioisotopes as shown in table 12.

Explain the suitability of each characteristics of the radioisotope to be used

as a tracer. Determine the most suitable radioisotope that can be used to

Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Mr. Kenneath Y.

detect the rate of absorption of fertilizer by plants. Give reasons for your
choice. [10 marks]
c) A nuclear reaction is represented by the following equation:

Based on the equation, calculate:

i.
ii.

the mass defect [2 marks]

the energy released [3 marks]

SPM 2008
11. Diagram 10.1 and 10.2 show the deflection of a radioactive emission in
an electric field.

Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Mr. Kenneath Y.

a) What is the meaning of radioactivity? [1 mark]

b) Using Diagram 10.1 and 10.2,
i.
state the charge of the radioactive emission [1 mark]
ii. compare the voltage of the EHT and the deflection of the
radioactive emission. [1 marks]
c) State the relationship between
i.
the voltage of the EHT and the strength of the electric field
between the plates. [1 mark]
ii. the strength of the electric field between the plates and the
deflection of the radioactive emission. [1 mark]
d) Diagram 10.3 shows a type of nuclear reaction.

i.
ii.

Name this type of nuclear reaction. [1 mark]

Explain how nuclear energy is produced from the nuclear
reaction shown in Diagram 10.3 [3 marks]
e) Diagram 10.4 shows how a radioactive source is being handled by a
student.

Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Mr. Kenneath Y.

The method shown is not safe. Suggest and explain:

i.
ii.
iii.

The equipment to be used in handling a radioactive source

Modifications to the storing method to ensure safe keeping of the
radioactive source
Other precautions that need to be taken when handling a radioactive
source. [10 marks]

Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Mr. Kenneath Y.