Question detail
Why is alpha radiation considered strongly ionising but weakly penetrating?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Question
- A. It has a high mass and charge, causing significant ionisation but cannot penetrate materials well.
- B. It travels at the speed of light, allowing it to penetrate easily.
- C. It is composed of electromagnetic waves, which can penetrate materials.
- D. It has no mass, making it highly penetrating.
Answer
The correct answer is A: It has a high mass and charge, causing significant ionisation but cannot penetrate materials well..
Explanation
The correct answer is A: It has a high mass and charge, causing significant ionisation but cannot penetrate materials well.. This supports the learning objective "Describe count rate as the number of counts detected each second or each minute." in Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation because it uses the correct atomic and nuclear radiation relationship for Atoms and nuclear radiation. The other options are less suitable because they do not match the required Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation idea: It travels at the speed of light, allowing it to penetrate easily.; It is composed of electromagnetic waves, which can penetrate materials.; It has no mass, making it highly penetrating..
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Count Rate
Students often confuse count rate with total counts over time, thinking it represents the total number of counts detected rather than the rate at which counts are detected.
Emphasize that count rate is defined as the number of counts detected per second or per minute, and practice converting total counts into a rate by dividing by the time period.
Related flashcards
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Related practice questions
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