Physics 0625 · IGCSE · Radioactivity

Radioactivity — practice question

A teacher places a radioactive source close to a detector. The detector gives a reading of $320\text{ counts/min}$. After the source has been taken away, the detector is switched on again and its reading is $20\text{ counts/min}$. What is the counts/min caused only by the source, and why does the detector still show a reading when no radioactive source is present?

  • A$300\text{ counts/min}$, zero error on detector
  • B$300\text{ counts/min}$, background radiation
  • C$340\text{ counts/min}$, zero error on detector
  • D$340\text{ counts/min}$, background radiation

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