O-LevelPhysicsNuclear Physics5054/11 · Oct/Nov 2010 · Q381 Mark

A student investigates a radioactive source that emits only alpha-particles. Without any source nearby, the detector shows a low reading. The source and thick cardboard are placed near the detector, as shown. What is the reading on the detector now, and why?

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Alow, background radiation is detected

Blow, some alpha-particles pass through cardboard

Czero, alpha-particles are all absorbed by the cardboard

Dzero, background radiation is all absorbed by the cardboard

✓ Correct answer

A: low, background radiation is detected

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Topic: Nuclear Physics, O-Level Physics (syllabus 5054). Multiple choice, 1 mark.
Source: O-Level Physics, Oct/Nov 2010 Paper 1 Variant 1, question 38.

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