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Sometimes food can become contaminated with radioactive substances - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 6 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 6
Sometimes food can become contaminated with radioactive substances. Describe the harmful effects of eating food contaminated with radioactive substances. Gamma ra... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Sometimes food can become contaminated with radioactive substances - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 6 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe the harmful effects of eating food contaminated with radioactive substances.
Answer
Eating food contaminated with radioactive substances can have several harmful effects on health. Firstly, radioactive materials can be trapped in the body, leading to exposure to radiation over time. This exposure can cause damage to body cells, resulting in mutation and potential cancer development. Additionally, the long-term accumulation of these substances can interfere with normal bodily functions.
Step 2
Explain why some food is irradiated with gamma radiation.
Answer
Food is irradiated with gamma radiation primarily to preserve it by killing bacteria and other pathogens. Gamma rays are very penetrating, allowing them to reach all parts of the food effectively. This process not only helps in extending the shelf life of the food but also ensures safety by reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Step 3
Step 4
Compare the processes of alpha decay and beta decay.
Answer
Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons, effectively reducing the mass number of the original nucleus by four and the atomic number by two. In contrast, beta decay occurs when a neutron in the nucleus transforms into a proton and emits a beta particle (an electron). This increases the atomic number by one while keeping the mass number the same. Both processes result in the transformation of the original nucleus into a different element.