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This lesson covers the practical uses of nuclear radiation as required by the AQA GCSE Physics specification (4.4.2). You need to understand how different types of radiation are used in medicine, industry, and archaeology, and why a particular type of radiation is chosen for each application.
The type of radiation chosen for a particular application depends on its penetrating power, ionising ability, and half-life. The key principle is:
| Radiation | Penetrating Power | Ionising Ability | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | Very low (stopped by paper) | Very high | Smoke detectors |
| Beta | Moderate (stopped by aluminium) | Moderate | Thickness monitoring |
| Gamma | Very high (reduced by lead) | Very low | Medical imaging, sterilisation, cancer treatment |
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