Radioactivity

About this lab: Radioactivity

Interactive simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 topic 5.2 Radioactivity: a clicking GM tube counting random background radiation with a pie chart of its sources, alpha, beta and gamma fired through paper, aluminium and lead with a comparison table, the three radiations curving through electric and magnetic fields, balanced alpha, beta and gamma decay equations, a random half-life simulation of 400 nuclei plotted against the expected curve, the choice of isotope for smoke detectors, thickness gauges, tracers, sterilising and dating, and a dose meter that responds to distance, shielding and time.

IGCSE Physics 0625, topic 5.2. Background radiation, alpha, beta and gamma, deflection in fields, decay equations, half-life, applications and safety.

Radioactivity is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 (topic 5 Nuclear physics, section 5.2 Radioactivity). The course is assessed in Papers 1 and 2 (multiple choice), 3 and 4 (theory), 5 (practical test) and 6 (alternative to practical). There are 7 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.

Syllabus coverage

• 5.2.1 Know what is meant by background radiation
• 5.2.1 Know the sources that make a significant contribution to background radiation including: (a) radon gas (in the air) (b) rocks and buildings (c) food and drink (d) cosmic rays
• 5.2.2 Describe the emission of radiation from a nucleus as spontaneous and random in direction
• 5.2.2 Identify alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) emissions from the nucleus by recalling: (a) their nature (b) their relative ionising effects (c) their relative penetrating abilities (β+ are not included, β-particles will be taken to refer to β–)
• 5.2.3 Know that radioactive decay is a change in an unstable nucleus that can result in the emission of α-particles or β-particles and/or γ-radiation and know that these changes are spontaneous and random
• 5.2.3 State that during α-decay or β-decay, the nucleus changes to that of a different element
• 5.2.4 Define the half-life of a particular isotope as the time taken for half the nuclei of that isotope in any sample to decay; recall and use this definition in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves (calculations will not include background radiation)
• 5.2.5 State the effects of ionising nuclear radiations on living things, including cell death, mutations and cancer
• Lessons on this topic: Background radiation: sources and detection, Alpha, beta, and gamma: nature, ionising, penetration, Deflection of α, β, γ in electric and magnetic fields, Radioactive decay equations, Half-life: definition and calculations.

Full syllabus map: IGCSE Physics 0625 topic 5.

How to use this simulation

1. 1. Background radiation.
2. 2. Alpha, beta, gamma.
3. 3. Deflection in fields.
4. 4. Decay equations.
5. 5. Half-life.
6. 6. Applications.
7. 7. Safety.
8. The buttons at the end of the tab strip give the scene the whole window (Full screen, Hide controls) and, on a dark stage, a projector-friendly palette (Light scene). Many scenes also have drag handles: drag them to change the set-up directly.

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