Gamma Decay

Gamma radiation is not a particle, but an _________________ ______.

(a)  

Gamma radiation is...

• highly ionising

• weakly ionising

• highly penetrating

• weakly penetrating

Gamma rays are positively charged.

• True

• False

State the relative mass of a gamma ray.

(a)  

In gamma decay, the nucleus...

• loses a proton

• loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons

• loses energy, but doesn't change

• does nothing

What does the asterisk mean in this nuclear equation?

• The nucleus has excess energy

• There is more information needed

• The nucleus is stable

• It is a typo

Cobalt-60 (shown in diagram) undergoes gamma decay. What will it's atomic number be after it decays?

(a)  

Cobalt-60 (shown in diagram) undergoes gamma decay. What will it's mass number be after it decays?

(a)  

Which of these are uses of gamma radiation?

• Industrial tracers

• Radiotherapy

• Sterilisation

• Medical tracers

Explain how gamma radiation is used to detect leaks in underground pipes.