Edexcel International GCSE Physics7b Radioactivity Checklist

Papers 1 and 2

• I can describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons, and use symbols such as ¹⁴₆C to describe particular nuclei.
• I know the terms atomic (proton) number, mass (nucleon) number and isotope.
• I know that alpha (α) particles, beta (β−) particles and gamma (γ) rays are ionising radiations, emitted from unstable nuclei in a random process.
• I can describe the nature of alpha (α) particles, beta (β−) particles and gamma (γ) rays, and recall that they can be told apart by their penetrating power and their ability to ionise.
• Practical: I can investigate the penetration powers of different types of radiation, using either radioactive sources or simulations.
• I can describe how the emission of each of the four main types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma and neutron radiation) affects the atomic and mass numbers of a nucleus.
• I understand how to balance nuclear equations in terms of mass and charge.
• I know that ionising radiations can be detected by photographic film or a Geiger−Müller detector.
• I can explain the sources of background (ionising) radiation from Earth and from space.
• I know that the activity of a radioactive source decreases over a period of time, and that it is measured in becquerels.
• I know the definition of the term 'half-life', and I understand that it is different for different radioactive isotopes.
• I can use the idea of half-life to do simple calculations on activity, including by graphical methods.
• I can describe uses of radioactivity in industry and in medicine.
• I can describe the difference between contamination and irradiation.
• I can describe the dangers of ionising radiations, including:•that radiation can cause mutations in living organisms•that radiation can damage cells and tissue•the problems caused by disposing of radioactive waste, and how the risks involved can be reduced