WorksheetsApplications of radioactivity - IB
Total questions: 19
Worksheet time: 5hrs 31mins
Which of these is not a use radioactive isotopes.
Carbon dating
Smoke detectors
Radar technologies
Radiotherapy
Which of these statements is incorrect for Beta decay
Is used to maintain the thickness of aluminium foil
Is the most penetrating form of radiation
Is the most ionising form of radiation
Are effected by magnetic and electric fields.
Carbon dating is highly reliable for estimating the age of which of the below samples
5 years
300 years
40000 years
100000 years
Why is radioactivity used in food irradiation
To add nutrients to food
To eliminate bacteria and extend shelf life
To improve the taste of food
To cook food more efficiently
Which of the following is a major challenge in managing radioactive waste?
Lack of materials for storage containers
High cost of disposal
Difficulty in detecting radiation
Long half-lives of some radioactive isotopes
Which statements are correct about the sources of uncertainty in the Carbon-14 decay curve used for radiocarbon dating?
A) If the sample is less than 500 years old the activity of the sample will be too high to measure small changes accurately
B) The level of production of carbon-14 in the atmosphere varies slightly with location.
c) If the sample is more than 60,000 years old, background radiation makes it impossible to distinguish between the remaining Carbon-14 and external sources of radiation.
A,B and C
A and B only
B and C only
B only
Which of the following conditions is necessary for using carbon-14 in radiocarbon dating?
The ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 must be measurable.
The sample must be older than 10,000 years.
The sample must contain uranium-238.
The carbon concentration in the atmosphere must be variable.
Gamma radiation is used to detect leaks in underground pipes because:
It has the shortest half-life.
It can penetrate several meters of ground.
It is absorbed by alpha particles in the pipe.
It is safe for technicians to handle without shielding.
When using beta radiation to control the thickness of materials, why must the radioactive source have a long half-life?
To ensure the rollers remain at a constant pressure.
To reduce the amount of radiation absorbed by the material.
To allow the beta particles to penetrate thicker materials.
To minimize the need for frequent replacement of the radioactive source.
Why is americium-241 suitable for use in smoke detectors?
It has a long half-life, ensuring consistent activity over the detector’s lifetime.
It emits beta radiation, which can penetrate the casing of the detector.
It produces gamma radiation, which is detectable even in the presence of smoke.
It creates ionisation by emitting neutrons that interact with oxygen molecules.
Why is americium-241 suitable for use in smoke detectors?
A) Its beta radiation can pass through smoke particles, ensuring consistent detection.
B) Its alpha particles ionize air molecules, allowing a small current to flow that decreases when smoke is present.
C) Its activity decreases significantly over time, making the detector sensitive to aging effects.
D) Its short half-life ensures frequent replacement, maintaining detector reliability.
When controlling the thickness of materials
I) α radiation is used because it is the most ionising
II) β radiation is used because it would pass through the materials
III) γ because it would pass through undetected through the
I only
II and III
I and II
II only
Which of the following statements is true:
I: above 57000 years less than 0.1% of the activity in Carbon 14 isotopes remain
II: after 60000 years the activity in carbon 14 atoms is too high to estimate ages accurately
III: After organisms die they stop intaking carbon 14
i and ii
ii and iii
All of the above
i and iii
Which of the following statements is true regarding Uranium lead dating used for:
it is used for determining the age of the earth, and estimated it to be several million years old
it is used to determine what the earth's core is made of
it is used for determining the age of the earth, and estimated it to be several billion years old
it is used for determining the age of the earth, and it uses the ratio of uranium atoms to oxygen atoms to do so
Which of the following statements is accurate regarding the limitations of carbon-14 dating?
I: Carbon-14 dating is effective for samples older than 50,000 years.
II: The method can be used on inorganic materials.
III: Carbon-14 dating is not reliable for samples younger than 300 years.
I and II
II and III
I and III
All of the above
What is the primary reason for using gamma radiation in medical treatments?
It has a long half-life, allowing for prolonged treatment.
It can target tumors without affecting surrounding tissues.
It is the least penetrating type of radiation.
It is less harmful than alpha radiation.
Which of the following is a common application of radiocarbon dating in archaeology?
Determining the age of ancient artifacts made from metal.
Dating organic materials such as wood and bone.
Estimating the age of geological formations.
Measuring the radiation levels in soil samples.
What does GM stand for when a GM tube is mentioned?
Good morning
Good monkeys
Geiger Muller
Geigger Muler
What is the most common method to calculate the age of the Earth:
Uranium-lead dating
Dating a person
Carbon 14 dating
Uranium Copper dating
