Test your knowledge:

1. Which kind of radiation is the most difficult to contain? Why?
2. Which kind of radiation is the easiest to contain? Why?
3. If you discovered that an Aluminium container of radioactive beta material was still emitting radiation, how could you reduce the radiation emitted?
4. What do you think the unknown sample is? Alpha, beta or gamma? Can you explain why?
5. Which is the safest kind of radioactive material to handle and why?
6. Gamma radiation is highly penetrative and may require heavy shielding. Can you describe one beneficial use of gamma radiation?
7. The unknown sample has been taken from a smoke detector, where there is a radioactive sample a short distance from a radiation detector, which is open to the air. How does a smoke detector work?