Safety precautions: past paper questions
Real questions on safety precautions
The newest 20 of 24 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q6b(ii)[1]
Describe the possible harmful effects of gamma radiation on people.
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · October/November 2025 · Q9c[2]
State two precautions for storing radioactive materials safely.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · October/November 2025 · Q9b(ii)[4]
Fig. 9.2 shows a simplified diagram of a machine that produces thin sheets of aluminium of constant thickness. radioactive source rollers aluminium sheet radiation detector machinery to control roller Fig. 9.2 The radiation detector is used to measure the thickness of the aluminium sheets and control the gap between th...
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · May/June 2025 · Q10c[2]
Radon gas is one source of background radiation. Name two other sources that make a significant contribution to background radiation.
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · May/June 2025 · Q7c(i)[1]
State one use of ultraviolet rays.
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · May/June 2025 · Q7c(ii)[1]
State one harmful effect of ultraviolet rays.
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2025 · Q9a(iii)[3]
Explain why scientists limit the amount of time they are exposed to radioactive strontium.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · May/June 2025 · Q9a(i)[1]
State what is meant by background radiation.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · May/June 2025 · Q9a(ii)[1]
State one source that makes a significant contribution to background radiation.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · May/June 2025 · Q9b(ii)[1]
Radium-223 is injected into the body to treat a specific organ. Explain why the source must be inside the body. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · October/November 2024 · Q10d[1]
Describe how to store radioactive materials safely.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · May/June 2024 · Q9a(i)[2]
State and explain two safety precautions necessary for the use of these isotopes in medical procedures. safety procedure explanation safety procedure explanation
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2024 · Q10a(i)[1]
Define background radiation.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2024 · Q10a(ii)[1]
Suggest one source of radiation that may make a significant contribution to the background count rate.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2023 · Q9c[2]
State two different sources of background radiation.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2023 · Q9a(ii)[2]
State one advantage and one disadvantage of generating electrical power in nuclear power stations compared with electrical power generated using wind turbines. advantage disadvantage
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · October/November 2022 · Q8c[2]
State two safety precautions for working with sources that emit γ (gamma)-radiation. 1. 2.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2021 · Q10b[2]
Radioactive sources have many uses in medicine. State two safety precautions which hospital staff take when working with γ-ray sources. 1. 2.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2021 · Q3a[2]
State and explain whether this process is renewable. statement explanation
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2021 · Q3c[2]
State two environmental consequences of burning coal to generate electricity. consequence 1. consequence 2.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
A number of candidates suggested correct sources of background radiation, particularly rocks, buildings and cosmic rays. Some misunderstood the question and wrote the names of elements or particles such as uranium, radon, alpha () particles or beta () particles. A number of candidates did not answer this question.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/32 Q10(c) (Cambridge)
Many correct answers were seen, particularly ‘detecting fake bank notes’ and ‘sterilising water’. Some answers were too vague, e.g. ‘checking money’ or uses of other electromagnetic waves, such as TV remotes. A noticeable number of candidates did not give an answer.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/33 Q7(c)(i) (Cambridge)
Again, many correct answers were seen, particularly eye or skin damage and skin cancer. Some answers were too vague, such as unqualified ‘cancer’ or ‘damaging health’.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/33 Q7(c)(ii) (Cambridge)
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