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Putting Radiation to Use

This section of the website contains suggestions for material that could be used with the Edexcel GCSE Physics specification. Edexcel is not affiliated with the author of the site and has had no involvement with the content of this website.
For the latest version of the Edexcel GCSE Physics specification, please visit : Edexcel GCSE Physics

Putting radiation to use (Sections 11.1-11.6)

Smoke alarms and treating food
Uses of radioisotopes (14-16)
Diagrams/Smoke alarm

X rays and gamma rays
Electromagnetic spectrum (14-16)

Medical applications of radioactivity
Uses of radioisotopes (14-16)

Properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation
Radioactivity types (14-16)
Radioactivity and ions (14-16)

Structure of the atom and nuclear symbols
Atomic structure (14-16)

Proton number, nucleon number and isotopes
Atomic structure (14-16)
Isotopes (14-16)

Radioactive decay (Sections 11.7–11.12)

Ionising effect of radiations
Radioactivity and ions (14-16)
Ionisation (14-16)

Change of activity of a radioactive source with time
Half life (14-16)

Half life and half life calculations
Half life (14-16)

14-16/Nuclear physics/Problems/Radioactive decay and half-life
14-16/Nuclear physics/Problems/Half life

14-16/Nuclear physics/Experiments/Half life of water
14- 16/Nuclear physics/Experiments/Half life dice

Graphical representations of decay using computer software
Half life (14-16) (Some additional resources and information are in the process of preparation)

Uncertainties in scientific conclusions such as radioactive dating
Uses of radioisotopes (14-16)
(Some additional resources and information are in the process of preparation)

Development of ideas such as the risks of radiation over time
(Some additional resources and information are in the process of preparation)

Background radiation and its origins
Background radiation (14-16)

The concentration of radon gas
Background radiation (14-16)
Radon gas (14-16)

Dangers of ionizing radiations and safety precautions
Radioactivity (14-16)

Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field protection from cosmic rays
Background radiation (14-16)
(Some additional resources and information are in the process of preparation)

14-16/Nuclear physics/Problems/Radioactive materials 1
14-16/Nuclear physics/Problems/Radioactive materials 2
 
 
 
© Keith Gibbs 2007