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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. (a) (2) ... 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 lead to significant health risks. Such food may contain radioactive materials that get trapped in the body, leading to long-term radiation exposure. This continuous exposure can damage body cells, potentially resulting in serious conditions such as cancer.
Step 2
Explain why some food is irradiated with gamma radiation.
Answer
Food is irradiated with gamma radiation to preserve it and prevent spoilage. Gamma radiation is highly penetrating, allowing it to reach all parts of the food effectively. This process kills harmful bacteria, extending the shelf life and ensuring the food remains safe for consumption.
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 2 protons and 2 neutrons, effectively reducing the original nucleus's atomic number by 2 and mass number by 4. In contrast, beta decay involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton with the emission of a beta particle (an electron), increasing the atomic number by 1 while the mass number remains unchanged. Both processes result in the transformation of the original nucleus into a different element.