Question detail
What is the role of the ionisation chamber in a smoke alarm?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation
Question
- A. To detect heat from smoke
- B. To measure smoke density
- C. To ionise air and detect changes in current
- D. To filter smoke particles
Answer
The correct answer is C: To ionise air and detect changes in current.
Explanation
The correct answer is C: To ionise air and detect changes in current. This supports the learning objective "Explain how smoke entering an ionisation smoke alarm changes the current and triggers an alarm." in Uses of nuclear radiation because it uses the correct atomic and nuclear radiation relationship for Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation. The other options are less suitable because they do not match the required Uses of nuclear radiation idea: To detect heat from smoke; To measure smoke density; To filter smoke particles.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Smoke Alarm Function
Students often think that smoke alarms only detect smoke particles without understanding the role of ionisation.
Explain that smoke entering the ionisation chamber disrupts the ionisation process, reducing current flow and triggering the alarm.
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