Exam Focus

🎯 Exam Focus

Frequently Examined

Examined in Edexcel 1PH0/1 (Paper 1). Edexcel mark schemes for this topic carefully distinguish "radioactive contamination" (source inside/on body) from "irradiation" (external exposure) — using the wrong term costs marks. Risk-benefit analysis questions carry 4–6 marks on 1PH0/1 and require explicit judgement weighing both sides. "Suggest" is used for novel medical or industrial applications where students must reason from radiation properties.

Uses and hazards questions test your ability to match radiation properties to applications and explain safety measures:

• Choose appropriate radiation for use — justify with penetrating/ionising properties (3 marks)
• Explain why short half-life for medical tracer (2 marks)
• Distinguish irradiation from contamination (2 marks)
• Explain three safety precautions and why they work (3 marks)
• Evaluate the risks and benefits of a given use (4–6 mark extended question)