Physics GCSE
background radiation
What background radiation means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definition of background radiation
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain background radiation in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
Radiation included in a reading that must be measured with the source removed and subtracted before the count-rate from the source is used.
Topics that use background radiation
- Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- activity
- choosing a half-life
- gamma ray
- independence from conditions
- ionising power
- neutron emission
- penetration
- randomness
Using background radiation in the exam
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