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Radiation And Radiochemistry Question Paper

Radiation And Radiochemistry

Course:Bachelor Of Science

Institution: Kenyatta University question papers

Exam Year:2009

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2008/2009
INSTITUTE OF OPEN LEARNING
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE AND
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION

SCH 310:
RADIATION AND RADIOCHEMISTRY
=================================================================
DATE: THURSDAY
13TH AUGUST 2009 TIME: 8.00 A.M. – 10.00 A.M.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Answer all questions. Show working where necessary.

1.
a)
Explain briefly the contribution H. Beckrerel and Madam Curie made in the
discovery
of
radioactivity.
(5
marks)

b)
Explain three conditions that make nucleus unstable.

(5 marks)

c)
What is spontaneous fission? What types of nucleus tend to decay by
spontaneous
fission?

Give
an
example.
(5
marks)

d)
Explain two nuclear decay reactions that lead to emission of X-rays.

(6 marks)

e)
Under what condition does a nucleus emit a delayed heavy particle?

(4 marks)
2.
a)
Explain the following terms:
i)
Mattauch’s
isobar
rule
ii)
Nuclear
isomerism
iii)
Isotonic
nucleus (6
marks)

Page 1 of 2

b)
A two 10ml aliquots of a river water were taken for neutron activation

analysis. Exactly 2 mls of standard contain 1.00 µ g of Al3+ was added to one

aliquot and 2mls of deionised water were added to other aliquot. The two

samples were irradiated simultaneously in a homogeneous neutron flux.

After a brief cooling period, the gamma radiation from the decay of 28Al

was counted. The solution that was diluted with deionised water give a count

rate of 2315cpm, where as the solution containing the added Al3+ gave a

reading of 4197 cpm. What is the concentration of Al3+ in the river water?

(5 marks)
c)
Complete the following equations and then write them in short notation:
i)
63Li + ? ? 31H + 42He

ii)
147N + ? ? 178O + 11H

iii)
2712 Mg ? ? + ß - + V

(5 marks

d)
Explain factors that determine the effect of radiation on matter.
(4 marks)

3.
a)
Potassium -42 is a ß emitter with half life of 12.36 hrs. calculate the rate

constant of this isotope. What fraction of this isotope remain after 25 hours?

(6 marks)

b)
Explain how ionization detector works.

(5 marks)

c)
Briefly explain how a breeder nuclear reactor works.

(5 marks)

d)
Explain how isotope dilution analysis works and when is this

technique
most
useful? (5
marks)

e)
Explain three problems encountered when working with radioactive isotopes.

(4 marks)
Page 2 of 2

Radiation And Radiochemistry Question Paper

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