Lesson 3.8.1.2

3.8.1.2 Alpha, beta and gamma radiation Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 8

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.8.1.2, Alpha, beta and gamma radiation: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Physics (7408), Unit 8: Nuclear physics (A-level only), written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the physical composition of an alpha particle?

    • Helium-4 nucleus
    • Single proton
    • Helium atom
    • Positron and neutrino

  2. Which particle is emitted from the nucleus during beta-minus decay?

    • Alpha particle
    • Proton
    • Electron
    • Positron

  3. What physical form does gamma radiation take when emitted from a nucleus?

    • Electromagnetic wave
    • Helium nucleus
    • High-speed electron
    • Charged particle

  4. Which type of nuclear radiation is stopped by a thin sheet of paper?

    • X-ray
    • Alpha
    • Beta
    • Gamma

  5. Which type of nuclear radiation has the highest ionising power per unit distance?

    • Beta-minus
    • Beta-plus
    • Alpha
    • Gamma

  6. How does gamma radiation behave when passing through a uniform magnetic field?

    • Completely absorbed
    • Undeflected
    • Deflected right
    • Deflected left

  7. A count rate of 800 counts per minute is recorded at 0.50 m from a gamma source. What is the expected count rate at 1.0 m?

    • 200 counts per minute
    • 400 counts per minute
    • 1600 counts per minute
    • 100 counts per minute

  8. A count rate of 800 counts per minute is recorded at 0.50 m from a gamma source. What is the expected count rate at 2.0 m?

    • 400 counts per minute
    • 200 counts per minute
    • 50 counts per minute
    • 100 counts per minute

  9. Which type of nuclear radiation is completely absorbed by a few millimetres of aluminium?

    • Neutrino
    • Alpha
    • Gamma
    • Beta

  10. How is background radiation accounted for when determining the count rate of a source?

    • Multiply by background
    • Divide by background
    • Subtract background rate
    • Add background rate

  11. A detector records 1200 counts in 60 s from a source, with a background of 180 counts in 60 s. What is the corrected count rate?

    • 17 counts per second
    • 20 counts per second
    • 3.0 counts per second
    • 23 counts per second

  12. If the distance from a point gamma source is tripled, intensity changes by what factor?

    • One ninth
    • One third
    • One sixth
    • Nine times

  13. Why is gamma radiation significantly more penetrating than alpha or beta radiation?

    • Large particle mass
    • High electric charge
    • Zero electric charge
    • High ionising power

  14. Why is an ingested alpha emitter extremely hazardous to human body tissues?

    • Zero charge magnitude
    • High speed in vacuum
    • High ionising power
    • Long penetration range

  15. Which type of radiation poses the greatest biological hazard outside the body due to penetration?

    • Ultrasound radiation
    • Gamma radiation
    • Alpha radiation
    • Beta radiation

  16. A gamma source gives 480 counts per minute at 1.0 m. What count rate is expected at 4.0 m?

    • 30 counts per minute
    • 7.5 counts per minute
    • 60 counts per minute
    • 120 counts per minute

  17. A source gives 4000 counts per minute at 2.0 m, with a background of 40 counts per minute. What is the corrected count rate at 1.0 m?

    • 3960 counts per minute
    • 16 000 counts per minute
    • 15 840 counts per minute
    • 8000 counts per minute

  18. How do mass number A and proton number Z change during gamma emission?

    • Both remain unchanged
    • Z increases by 1
    • A decreases by 4
    • Z decreases by 1

  19. Why do alpha and beta-minus particles deflect in opposite directions in a magnetic field?

    • Different masses
    • Same charge sign
    • Opposite charge signs
    • Different speeds

  20. A gamma source gives a corrected count rate of 2400 counts per second at 0.80 m. What is the rate at 2.0 m?

    • 96 counts per second
    • 600 counts per second
    • 384 counts per second
    • 960 counts per second

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