6 Nuclear physics and the universe

Practice questions on Nuclear physics and the universe

• Radioactive sources emit different types of nuclear radiation. Explain how the properties … (5 marks, Explain)
• A scientist is investigating a radioactive sample in a laboratory. The sample emits alpha,… (5 marks, Describe)
• Radioactive materials undergo radioactive decay, emitting nuclear radiation. Explain what … (5 marks, Explain)
• Radioactive decay is a random and spontaneous process. Explain what is meant by the terms … (5 marks, Explain)
• Explain how the colour of a star can be used to determine its surface temperature, and des… (5 marks, Explain)
• A star begins its life as a cloud of gas and dust called a nebula. Describe the sequence o… (5 marks, Describe)
• A star spends most of its life on the main sequence. Explain what is meant by the main seq… (5 marks, Explain)
• The Sun is described as a black body. Explain what is meant by a black body and describe h… (5 marks, Explain)
• Explain why astronomers observe that light from distant galaxies appears shifted towards t… (5 marks, Explain)
• Electromagnetic waves have many uses in everyday life, but some can be harmful to the huma… (5 marks, Describe)
• Electromagnetic waves transfer energy from a source to an absorber. Describe the propertie… (5 marks, Describe and Explain)
• Infrared radiation and visible light are both parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Compa… (5 marks, Compare)
• Explain why different objects appear different colours when white light shines on them, an… (5 marks, Explain)
• Electromagnetic waves form a continuous spectrum. Describe the electromagnetic spectrum, i… (5 marks, Describe)
• A hospital uses radioactive isotopes in two ways: to image internal organs and to sterilis… (5 marks, Explain)