1. P2 Topic 6: Benefits and drawbacks of using radioactive materials
This topic looks at:
The changing ideas of radioactivity
What happens to nuclear waste
Half-life
Background Radiation
Uses of radiation
How did each of these scientists contribute to our understanding of radiation?
Henri Becquerel:
Marie Curie:
Ernest Rutherford:
What is the main cause of background radiation in the UK?
Explain what half-life is:
Fill in this table assuming there is a 10% decay every hour:
Time from start (hours) 1 2 3 4 5 6
No. of unstable atoms
1000
900
477
No, of unstable atoms that decay in the next hour
0 - 1
100
1 - 2 90
2 - 3
3 - 4
4 - 5
5 - 6 48
Keywords: Hazard, risk, mutation, background radiation
Method of disposal
Problems
Firing into space
Dumping barrels in the sea
Storage underground
How is the radioactivity of a source measured?
What does the term count rate mean?
Keywords: Half-life, GM Tube, count rate, radioactive decay, nuclear power

2. P2 Topic 6: Benefits and drawbacks of using radioactive materials
This topic looks at:
The changing ideas of radioactivity
What happens to nuclear waste
Half-life
Background Radiation
Uses of radiation
Explain how beta radiation can be used to detect the level of liquids contained within bottles.
Define the term
Irradiating
Explain the difference between irradiated and radioactive
What are the benefits and drawbacks of irradiating food?
Benefits
Drawbacks
Keywords: Hazard, risk, mutation, background radiation
How can gamma rays be used to help diagnose and treat cancer?
Describe the uses of radioactivity in household smoke alarms
Keywords: Half-life, GM Tube, count rate, radioactive decay, nuclear power