5.physics Classified QP-Unit5 Atomic

Cambridge
Physics(0625) Classified
Unit5-Atomic Physics
Collected from: PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
Assembled by N.S.
1. The Nuclear Atom --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-51
1. The Nuclear Atom (Multiple Choice) QP ----------------------------------------------------- 3-17
2. The Nuclear Atom 1 QP ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18-26
3. The Nuclear Atom2 QP -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27-41
4. The Nuclear Atom3 QP -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42-51
S.
2. Radioactivity ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 52-119
1. Radioactivity (Multiple Choice) QP ---------------------------------------------------------- 53-72
2. Radioactivity 1 QP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 73-81
N.
By
d
le
mb
se
As
1/119
S.
N.
By
The Nuclear Atom
d
le
mb
se
As
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 2/119
(Assembled by Nesrine)
The Nuclear Atom (Multiple Choice) QP
37
1 How many neutrons are in a nucleus of the nuclide 17 Cl ?
A 17 B 20 C 37 D 54
2 A certain element has several isotopes.
Which statement about these isotopes is correct?
S.
A They must have different numbers of electrons orbiting their nuclei.
B They must have the same number of neutrons in their nuclei.
N.
C They must have the same number of nucleons in their nuclei.
D They must have the same number of protons in their nuclei.
By
3 A neutral atom consists of electrons orbiting a nucleus. The nucleus contains protons and
neutrons.
d
Which statement about the atom must be correct?

le
A The number of electrons is equal to the number of neutrons.

B The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons.
mb
C The number of neutrons is equal to the number of protons.

D The number of electrons, neutrons and protons are all different.
se
4 Below are the symbols for five different nuclides.

As
35 37 38 81 81
17 X 17 X X18 35 X 37 X
nuclide 1 nuclide 2 nuclide 3 nuclide 4 nuclide 5
Which two nuclides are isotopes of the same element?
A nuclide 1 and nuclide 2

B nuclide 2 and nuclide 3
C nuclide 2 and nuclide 5
D nuclide 4 and nuclide 5
5 A proton and a neutron are each close to a positive nucleus.
proton + neutron
positive
nucleus
How does the charge on the nucleus affect the proton and the neutron, if at all?
A The neutron is attracted; the proton is repelled.

B The neutron is not affected; the proton is repelled.
S.
C The proton is attracted; the neutron is repelled.
D
N.
The proton is not affected; the neutron is repelled.
6 Below are four statements about isotopes of a certain element.
Which statement about the isotopes must be correct?

By
A They are radioactive.
B They are unstable.
d
C They have the same number of neutrons.

le
D They have the same number of protons.

mb
56
7 A nucleus of element X is represented as 26 X.
Which is an isotope of element X?

se
26 54 56 54
A 56 X B 26 X C 24 X D 28 X
As
8 The charge on a proton is e.
What is the charge on an electron and what is the charge on a neutron?
electron neutron
A e e
B e 0
C –e –e
D –e 0
37
9 A particular nuclide has the symbol 17 Cl.
What is true for atoms of this nuclide?
A There are 17 nucleons in the nucleus.
S.
B There are 17 protons in the nucleus.
C There are 37 electrons in the nucleus.
N.
D There are 37 neutrons in the nucleus.
By
14
10 6C is a nuclide of carbon.
What is the composition of one nucleus of this nuclide?

d
le
neutrons protons
A 6 8
mb
B 6 14
C 8 6
se
D 14 6
As
22
11 A nuclide has the symbol Ne
10 .
What is the proton number of a nucleus of this nuclide?
A 10 B 12 C 22 D 32
12 The nucleus of an americium atom contains 146 neutrons and 95 protons. It decays by emitting
an α-particle.
How many neutrons and how many protons remain in the nucleus when this form of americium
decays?
S.
N.
By
13 Which statement is correct for the nucleus of any atom?
d
A The nucleus contains electrons, neutrons and protons.

le
B The nucleus contains the same number of protons as neutrons.

C
mb
The nucleus has a total charge of zero.

D The nucleus is very small compared with the size of the atom.
se
As
14 Which particles are emitted during thermionic emission?
A atoms
B electrons
C neutrons
D protons
S.
15 A uranium U 238
nucleus
92 emits an α-particle.
N.
What are the new nucleon and proton numbers?
By
d
le
210
16 The nuclide symbol for radioactive polonium is Po . 84
mb
A nucleus of this type of polonium emits an α-particle.

se
What is the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus after it has emitted the α-particle?
A 82 B 83 C 84 D 85
As
226
17 The nuclide notation for radium-226 is 88 Ra .
How many electrons orbit the nucleus of a neutral atom of radium-226?
A 0 B 88 C 138 D 226
18 Radioa
ctive carbon-14 ecays
d into nitrogen by emitting a β-particle. The equation below
represents the decay.
14 14 0
P
C → 7N + Q
β
S.
What are the values of P and Q?
P Q
N.
A 6 1
B 6 –
C 8 1
By
D 8 –
d
le
mb
se
As
19 A radioactive nucleus contains 128 nucleons. It emits a β-particle.
How many nucleons are now in the nucleus?
A 124 B 127 C 128 D 129
226
20 The nuclide notation for radium-226 is 88 Ra .
How many electrons orbit the nucleus of a neutral atom of radium-226?
S.
A 0 B 88 C 138 D 226
N.
14
21 A nuclide has the symbol C6.
By
How many protons are there in one nucleus of this nuclide?
A 6 B 8 C 14 D 20
d
le
22 A lithium nucleus contains 3 protons and 4 neutrons.

mb
What is its nuclide notation?

3 4 7 7
A 4 Li B 3 Li C 3 Li D 4 Li
se
As
23 A particular nuclide of chlorine can be represented by the symbol shown.
37
17
Cl
How many electrons are there in a neutral atom of this nuclide?
A 17 B 20 C 37 D 54
24 A nuclide is represented by the symbol PQX.
How many neutrons are in one nucleus of the nuclide?
A P B Q C P+Q D P–Q
S.
25 Which statement about the nuclei of all atoms is correct?
N.
A They are very small compared with the size of the atoms.
B They always contain the same number of protons as neutrons.
C They contain electrons, neutrons and protons.
By
D They have a total charge of zero.
26 The graph shows how the count rate on a detector due to a radioactive source changes with time.
d
4800
le
count rate
counts per minute
mb
2400
se
0
As
0 1
time / hours
What is the count rate at 5.0 hours?
A 960 counts per minute

B 600 counts per minute
C 150 counts per minute
D 0 counts per minute
27 The diagram represents a carbon atom.
––
––
key
neutron
+ + + proton
+ + – electron
+
+
S.
––
N.
What is the nucleon number (mass number) for this atom?
A 6 B 8 C 14 D 20
By
28 A nuclide is represented by the notation shown.
d
le
How many nucleons are there in one atom of this nuclide?

mb
A P B Q C P+Q D P–Q
se
As
29 A nucleus X has 17 protons and 18 neutrons.
Which notation is correct for this nucleus?

17 17 18 35
A 18 X B 35 X C 17 X D 17 X
30 A nucleus X has 17 protons and 18 neutrons.
Which notation is correct for this nucleus?

17 17 18 35
A 18 X B 35 X C 17 X D 17 X
31 A nucleus of helium has the symbol 32He.
Which diagram represents an atom of 32 He?
S.
A B
N.
e e
p p p p
p n
e
By
e key
p = proton
n = neutron
d
C D
e = electron
le
e e e
mb
n n n n
p
e
se
e
As
32 Which diagram could represent the structure of a neutral atom?
A B C D
key
– – – –
neutron
++ ++ + proton
+ ++
+ – electron
– – –
33 Which statement about a neutral atom of 226
88 Ra is correct?
A It has an equal number of neutrons and protons.

B It has more electrons than neutrons.
S.
C It has more electrons than protons.
D It has more neutrons than protons.
N.
34 A radioactive nucleus emits
β-particle.
a
By
β-particle
d
nucleus
le
What happens to the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus?
A It stays the same.

mb
B It increases by 1.
C
se
It decreases by 2.
D It decreases by 4.
As
35 An atom of the element lithium has a nucleon number of 7 and a proton number of 3.
Which diagram represents a neutral atom of lithium?
A B
S.
– –
N.
n + +
+ + +
+ n n key
n = a neutron
– By –
+ = a proton
–
– = an electron
C D (not to scale)
d
–
le
– –
– –
mb
n n
+ +n
n
n n n n
+
se
– –
– –
As
36 A nuclide of substance X has the symbol 26
12 X .
How many electrons are there in a neutral atom of substance X?
A 12 B 14 C 26 D 38
243
37 A nucleus of americium Am emits an α-particle to form a nucleus of neptunium (Np).
S.
95
Which equation represents this decay?
N.
243 247 4
A 95 Am → 97 Np + 2α
243 243 0
B 95 Am → 96 Np + -1 α
C 243
95 Am → 243
94 Np + 0
1α
By
243 239 4
D 95 Am → 93 Np + 2α
d
le
38 A certain element has several isotopes.
Which statement about these isotopes is correct?

mb
A They must have different numbers of electrons orbiting their nuclei.

B They must have the same number of neutrons in their nuclei.
se
C They must have the same number of nucleons in their nuclei.

D They must have the same number of protons in their nuclei.
As
39 A very important experiment increased scientists’ understanding of the structure of matter.
In the experiment, particles scattered as they passed through a thin metal foil.
Which particles were used, and to which conclusion did the experiment lead?
particles conclusion
A alpha particles matter is made up of atoms

B alpha particles atoms have a very small nucleus
S.
C beta particles matter is made up of atoms
D
N.
beta particles atoms have a very small nucleus
40 Below are the symbols for five different nuclides.

By
35 37 38 81 81
17X 17 X 18 X 35 X 37 X
nuclide 1 nuclide 2 nuclide 3 nuclide 4 nuclide 5
d
Which two nuclides are isotopes of the same element?

le
A nuclide 1 and nuclide 2

B nuclide 2 and nuclide 3
mb
C nuclide 2 and nuclide 5

D nuclide 4 and nuclide 5
se
As
41 Below are four statements about isotopes of a certain element.
Which statement about the isotopes must be correct?
A They are radioactive.

B They are unstable.
C They have the same number of neutrons.
D They have the same number of protons.
42 Which diagram represents an experiment that provided evidence for the nuclear atom?
A B
α-particle β-particle
gold gold
nucleus nucleus
S.
C D
N.
α-particle β-particle
By
gold gold
nucleus nucleus
d
le
43 T he scattering of α-particles by a thin metal foil supports the nuclear model of an atom.
mb
Why are α-particles used rather than neutrons?
A because they always travel more slowly

se
B because they are heavier

C because they are larger in diameter
As
D because they have a positive charge
The Nuclear Atom 1 QP
1 Bismuth-214 is radioactive. It has a half-life of 20 minutes.
(a) The nuclide notation for bismuth-214 is Bi.
State the composition of the nucleus of bismuth-214.
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) Bismuth-214 decays by β-decay to an isotope of polonium, Po.
S.
Complete the equation for the decay of bismuth-214.
N.
214
83Bi
→ ...........
...........
β + ...........
...........
Po
By [3]
(c) The count rate from a sample of bismuth-214 is 360 counts / s.

d
Predict the count rate from the sample after 60 minutes.

le
mb
se
count rate = ................................................................. [2]

As
(d) State two of the social, economic or environmental issues involved in the storage of radioactive
materials with very long half-lives.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 9]
2 In Geiger and Marsden’s α-particle scattering experiment, α-particles were directed at a very thin
gold foil.
Fig. 11.1 shows five of the nuclei of the atoms in one layer in the gold foil. Also shown are the
paths of three α-particles directed at the foil.
S.
N.
By
Fig. 11.1
(a) On Fig.11.1, complete the paths of the three α-particles.

par
d
le
(b)
b) State the result of the experiment that shows that an atom consists of a very tiny,
charged core, containing almost all the mass of the atom.
mb
[1]
se
(ii) State the sign of the charge on this core. ...................................................................... [1]
As
(iii) State what occupies the space between these charged cores.
[1]
4
(c) The nuclide notation for an α-particle is 2 α.
State the number of protons and neutrons in an α-particle
protons =
neutrons = [1]
[Total: 7]
3 An extremely violent nuclear reaction is taking place at the centre of the Sun. It is this reaction that
enables the Sun to emit both a very large quantity of energy and an extremely large number of
charged particles.
(a) Name the type of nuclear reaction taking place in the Sun.
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Many of the charged particles produced by the Sun are emitted from its surface at high
speeds and travel out into space.
(i) Explain why these particles constitute an electric current.
S.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
N.
(ii) State the equation that relates the electric current I to the charge Q that is flowing. Define
any other terms in the equation.
...........................................................................................................................................
By
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(c) Some of the particles emitted by the Sun travel straight towards the Earth until they enter the
d
Earth’s magnetic field. Because they constitute a current, they experience a force and are
deflected.
le
(i) Describe the relationship between the direction of the force and
mb
1. the direction of the current,
................................................................................................................................[1]
se
2. the direction of the magnetic field.

As
................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) A negatively charged particle is travelling in a magnetic field. This is represented in
Fig. 9.1. The direction of the magnetic field is into the page.
direction of travel
of particle
magnetic field
into page
negative particle
S.
N.
Fig. 9.1
On Fig. 9.1, draw an arrow, labelled F, to show the direction of the force that acts on the
particle. By [1]
[Total: 6]
d
le
mb
se
As
4 (a) State, in terms of the particles in each nucleus, how the nuclei of two isotopes of the same
element are different.
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Fig. 11.1 shows a graph of nucleon number against proton number. The nucleus 21 2 Bi is
83
plotted on the graph at the cross marked P.
213
P
212
S.
nucleon 211
number
210
N.
209
208
79 80 81 82 83
By 84
proton number
Fig. 11.1
(i) On Fig. 11.1,
d
1. plot a cross labelled Q for the nucleus formed when the 21 2 Bi nucleus emits an
le
83
α-particle,
2. plot a cross labelled R for the nucleus formed when the 21 2 Bi nucleus emits a
83
mb
β-particle.
[4]
se
(ii) The half-life for the decay of 21823 Bi is 60 minutes.
A sample of 21823 Bi is placed at a fixed distance from a detector. The initial measurement
As
of the count rate from the sample of 21823 Bi is 2400 counts per minute.
Calculate the count rate from the sample 5.0 hours later.
count-rate = ...........................................................[2]
[Total: 7]
5 Uranium-238 and uranium-234 are radioactive isotopes of the element uranium.
A uranium-238 nucleus is different from a uranium-234 nucleus but both decay by the emission of
an α-particle.
(a) (i) In terms of the particles in each, state how a nucleus of uranium-238 differs from a
nucleus of uranium-234.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
(ii) Although the two nuclei are different, they are both nuclei of uranium.
S.
State a property that makes these isotopes the same element.
N.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) When α-particles pass through air, they are more strongly ionising than β-particles.
By
Suggest two reasons why this is so.
...................................................................................................................................................
d
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
le
(c) In an experiment, α-particles are allowed to strike a thin gold foil in a vacuum.
mb
Almost all the α-particles pass straight through the gold undeflected. Only a very small
number of α-particles are deflected from their original path.
se
This result reveals certain features of the atoms of the gold.
State what is shown about atoms by the fact that

As
(i) most α-particles pass straight through the gold undeflected,
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) some α-particles are deflected back the way they came.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
[Total: 7]
6 In a famous experiment, a beam consisting of a very large number of α-particles was projected, in
a vacuum, at a very thin gold foil.
Fig. 11.1 shows the paths of three of the α-particles A, B and C travelling towards the foil.
gold foil
S.
N.
C
By
Fig. 11.1
α-particle A is travelling along a line which does not pass very close to a gold nucleus.
α-particle B is travelling along a line which passes close to a gold nucleus.
d
α-particle C is travelling directly towards a gold nucleus.

le
(a) Explain why an α-particle and a gold nucleus repel each other.
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
mb
(b) On Fig. 11.1, draw lines with arrows to show the continuation of the paths of α-particles A, B
and C. [3]
se
(c) State two conclusions, about gold atoms, which resulted from the experiment.
As
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 6]
7 There are two stable, naturally occurring isotopes of hydrogen.
Common hydrogen (hydrogen-1) has a proton number of 1 and a nucleon number of 1.
Hydrogen-2 (deuterium) has a nucleon number of 2.
There is also a radioactive isotope of hydrogen called tritium (hydrogen-3), with a nucleon
number of 3.
(a) Complete the table for neutral atoms of these isotopes.
hydrogen-1 hydrogen-2 hydrogen-3
S.
(deuterium) (tritium)
number of protons
N.
number of neutrons
number of electrons By [3]
(b) Two samples of tritium are stored in aluminium containers of different thickness.
Sample 1 is in a container of thickness 0.5 mm and radiation can be detected coming

d
through the container.

le
Sample 2 is in a container of thickness 5 mm and no radiation comes through.
(i) State the type of radiation coming through the container of Sample 1.
mb
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
se
(ii) Explain your answer to (b)(i).
..................................................................................................................................
As
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) Under conditions of extremely high temperature and pressure, as in the interior of the
Sun, hydrogen nuclei can join together.
(i) Name this process.
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) State whether energy is released, absorbed or neither released nor absorbed
during this reaction.
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
S.
(d) When a nucleus of a certain isotope of uranium is bombarded by a suitable neutron, it
splits into two smaller nuclei and energy is released.
N.
Name this process.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
By [Total: 9]
d
le
mb
se
As
1 Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope that emits β-particles as it decays. The nuclear equation
below shows this decay.
90 a 0
38 Sr b X + –1e
(a) Calculate
(i) the value of a,
a = ......................................................
(ii) the value of b.
S.
b = ......................................................
[2]
N.
(b) (i) Tick the element from the list below that is produced by this decay.
element proton number place one tick in this column

selenium 34
By
bromine 35
krypton 36
rubidium 37
d
strontium 38
le
yttrium 39
mb
zirconium 40
niobium 41
se
molybdenum 42
[1]
As
a
(ii) The isotope b X is also radioactive and undergoes β-decay.
State the name of the element that is produced by this decay.
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
(c) Three nuclei are represented as
83 209 84
42 X 83Y 42Z
State and explain which nuclei are isotopes of the same element.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
S.
[Total: 6]
N.
By
d
le
mb
se
As
2 Fig. 9.1 shows an experiment carried out in a vacuum to investigate the deflection of
α-particles and γ-rays in a magnetic field.
magnet
S.
radioactive source
emitting α-particles
and γ-rays lead cylinder
N.
thin beam of
with small hole
α-particles and
γ-rays
Fig. 9.1
By
(a) Complete the table to describe the deflection, if any, of the α-particles and the γ-rays in
the magnetic field shown. Place one tick in each column.
d
possible deflection α-particles γ-rays

le
no deflection
towards N pole of magnet
mb
towards S pole of magnet

out of paper
se
into paper
[3]
As
(b) The experiment of Fig. 9.1 was carried out in a vacuum.
State the effect of carrying out the experiment in air.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
(c) State and explain the purpose of the lead cylinder.
..........................................................................................................................................
S.
..........................................................................................................................................
N.
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 7]
By
d
le
mb
se
As
3 The isotope thorium-234 is radioactive. It emits β-particles as it decays.
(a) The incomplete nuclide equation represents the decay of thorium-234 to an isotope of
protactinium (Pa).
Complete the equation.

....... .......
234Th Pa + β
90 ....... ....... [3]
(b) Fig. 11.1 shows a beam of β-particles from a sample of thorium-234 passing into the
electric field between two charged plates in a vacuum.
S.
+ + +
N.
beam of β-particles By
– – –
Fig. 11.1
d
(i) By drawing on Fig. 11.1, show how the β-particles move as they pass between the
le
plates. [1]
(ii) Explain why the β-particles move in this way.
mb
..................................................................................................................................
se
............................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 5]
As
4 The most abundant stable isotope of strontium is strontium-88. Its nucleon number is 88 and its
proton number is 38. In nuclide notation it is written xySr.
(a) Write down
(i) the values of x and y for strontium-88, x = .............................
y = .............................
(ii) the number of neutrons in a nucleus of strontium-88, .............................
(iii) the number of electrons in a neutral atom of strontium-88. .............................
S.
[3]
(b) Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope produced by nuclear reactions. State how the structure
N.
of this isotope differs from that of strontium-88.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
By
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
d
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
le
[Total: 5]
mb
se
As
5 (a) In a laboratory’s secure radioactivity cupboard are two unlabelled radioactive sources. A
scientist knows that one is an alpha-emitter and the other is a beta-emitter, but is not sure
which is which.
A radiation detector, a magnet and some paper are available.
Briefly describe two different experimental tests, using this equipment, which would allow the
scientist to identify which is the alpha-emitter and which is the beta-emitter.
test outcome for alpha outcome for beta
S.
N.
By
d
le
[4]
mb
se
As
(b) Radioactive carbon-14 (14
6 C)) de ys by emitting β-particles.
(i) What are the values of the proton and nucleon numbers of carbon-14?
proton number ...............................................................
nucleon number ...........................................................[2]
(ii) Carbon-14 is absorbed by living organisms. When the organism dies, no more carbon-14
is absorbed. The carbon-14 already absorbed decays with a half-life of 5730 years.
Recent human skeletons have an activity of 64 units, but a human skeleton dug up by an
archaeologist has an activity of 8 units.
S.
Determine the age of this ancient skeleton.
N.
By
age = ...........................................................[2]
[Total: 8]
d
le
mb
se
As
6 A certain element is known to exist as two different isotopes.
(a) State one thing that is the same for atoms of both isotopes.
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) State one thing that is different between atoms of these two isotopes.
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) An atom of one of these isotopes is unstable and decays into a different element by
emitting a -particle.
S.
(i) State one thing about the atom that remains the same during this decay.
N.
............................................................................................................................ [1]
(ii) State one thing about the atom that changes as a result of this decay.
............................................................................................................................ [1]
By
[Total: 4]
d
le
mb
se
As
7 A student is using a cathode-ray oscilloscope to display the waveform of an alternating
current supply. The arrangement is shown in Fig. 10.1.
cathode-ray
oscilloscope
switch S (open)
S.
a.c.
R Y-input
supply
N.
By
Fig. 10.1
When switch S is closed, the trace seen on the screen is as shown in Fig. 10.2. To get this
d
trace, the settings of the oscilloscope controls are

le
volts / cm: 5 V / cm
time-base: 10 ms / cm
mb
se
As
S.
1 cm
N.
Fig. 10.2
(a) On Fig. 10.2, carefully draw what is seen on the screen when the frequency of the
By
supply is increased to 1.5 times its previous value. [3]
(b) What change, if any, must be made to the oscilloscope volts / cm and time-base controls
in order to reduce the peak-to-peak height of the trace to half that shown in Fig. 10.2?
d
le
volts / cm setting ......................................................................................................... [2]
time-base setting ....................................................................................................... [1]

mb
[Total: 6]
se
As
8 In Geiger and Marsden’s α-particle scattering experiment, α-particles were directed at a very thin
gold foil.
Fig. 10.1 shows five of the nuclei of the atoms in one layer in the gold foil. Also shown are the
paths of three α-particles directed at the foil.
S.
N.
By
Fig. 10.1
d
(a) On Fig.10.1, complete the paths of the three α-particles. [3]

le
(b) (i) What result of the experiment confirmed that an atom consisted of a very tiny charged
core, containing almost all the mass of the atom?
mb
...........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
se
(ii) What is the sign of the charge on this core? ............................................................... [1]
As
(iii) What occupies the space between these charged cores?
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 6]
1 An atom of one of the isotopes of sodium contains
11 protons, 11 electrons and 13 neutrons.
(a) Underline which of these three will be the same in neutral atoms of all isotopes of sodium. [2]
(b) State the nucleon number of this isotope. ........................................................................... [1]
(c) What can you say about the chemical properties of the different isotopes of sodium?
............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(d) One isotope of sodium is 25Na.
S.
How many neutrons are there in one atom of this isotope? ............................................... [1]
N.
[Total: 5]
By
d
le
mb
se
As
2 (a) Chlorine has two isotopes, one of nucleon number 35 and one of nucleon number 37.
The proton number of chlorine is 17.
Table 11.1 refers to neutral atoms of chlorine.
Complete Table 11.1.
nucleon number 35 nucleon number 37
number of protons
number of neutrons
S.
number of electrons
N.
[3]
Table 11.1
(b) Some isotopes are radioactive.

By
State the three types of radiation that may be emitted from radioactive isotopes.
1. .......................................................
2. .......................................................
d
le
3. ....................................................... [1]
(c) (i) State one practical use of a radioactive isotope.

mb
..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................ [1]
se
(ii) Outline how it is used.

As
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................ [1]
[Total: 6]
3 (a) α- particles can be scattered by thin gold foils.
Fig. 11.1 shows part of the paths of three α-particles.

Complete the paths of the three α-particles. [3]
α-particle 1
α-particle 2
S.
α-particle 3
N.
gold nuclei
By
Fig. 11.1
(b) What does the scattering of α-particles show about atomic structure?
d
..........................................................................................................................................
le
..........................................................................................................................................
mb
......................................................................................................................................[2]
(c) State the nucleon number (mass number) of an α-particle.

se
nucleon number = …………………[1]

As
[ Total : 6 ]
1 (a) State the nature of γ-rays.
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) A beam of α-particles and β-particles passes, in a vacuum, between the poles of a strong
magnet.
Compare the deflections of the paths of the two types of particle.
...................................................................................................................................................
S.
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
N.
(c) A beam of β-particles passes, in a vacuum, through the electric field between a pair of
oppositely charged metal plates.
Describe the path of the particles.

By
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
d
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
le
(d) The nuclear equation shows the decay of an isotope of polonium.

mb
A Po 206 Pb + 42 X
Z 82
se
(i) State the nature of X.
...........................................................................................................................................
As
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Calculate the values of A and Z.
A = .................... Z = ..................... [1]
[Total: 7]
2 (a) State the nature of an α-particle.
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Describe how an electric field between two charged plates could be used to determine
whether a beam of particles consists of α- or β-particles.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
S.
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
N.
(c) Describe the path of γ-rays in a magnetic field.
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
By
(d) State what is meant by the term isotopes. Use the terms proton number and nucleon number
in your explanation.
...................................................................................................................................................
d
le
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
mb
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[3]
se
[Total: 7]
As
3 (a) Complete the table below for the three types of radiation.
radiation nature charge stopped by
electromagnetic
γ
radiation
β negative
α thick paper
S.
[3]
(b) An isotope of strontium is represented in nuclide notation as 90Sr.

38
N.
For a neutral atom of this isotope, state
(i) the proton number, ...............
(ii) the nucleon number, ...............

By
(iii) the number of neutrons, ...............
d
(iv) the number of electrons. ...............

[3]
le
(c) A sample of a radioactive material is placed near a radiation detector. A count-rate of

4800 counts / s is detected from the sample. After 36 hours the count-rate has fallen to
mb
600 counts / s.
Calculate how many more hours must pass for the count-rate to become 150 counts / s.
se
As
number of hours = ............................................... [3]
[Total: 9]
4 (a) A radioactive source emits α-, β- and γ-radiation.
Which of these radiations
(i) has the shortest range in air, ..............................
(ii) has a negative charge, ..............................
(iii) is not deflected in a magnetic field? ..............................

[2]
(b) In a famous experiment, carried out in a vacuum, a very thin sheet of gold was placed in
S.
the path of alpha particles.
It was found that a large number of the alpha particles passed through the sheet with
N.
little or no deflection from their original path. A very small number of the alpha particles
were reflected back towards the source.
(i) Explain, in terms of the force acting, why the direction of motion of an alpha particle
changes when it comes close to the nucleus of a gold atom.
By
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
d
............................................................................................................................ [2]
le
(ii) State two conclusions, about the nuclei of atoms, that were made from the results
of this experiment.
mb
1. ...............................................................................................................................
se
..................................................................................................................................
2. ...............................................................................................................................
As
..................................................................................................................................
[2]
[Total: 6]
5 (a) Six different nuclides have nucleon and proton numbers as follows:
nuclide nucleon number proton number
A 214 84
B 214 85
C 211 84
D 211 86
E 210 82
S.
F 210 83
N.
State which two nuclides are isotopes of the same element. .................. and ................. [1]
(b) Thorium-232 has a half-life of 1.4 × 1010 years.

By
At a particular instant, the activity of a sample of thorium-232 is 120 Bq.
(i) Calculate the time taken for the activity of this sample to fall to 15 Bq.
d
le
mb
time taken ...........................................................[1]

se
As
(ii) Explain why, when the activity has become 15 Bq, much of the sample will no longer be
thorium-232.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(iii) The sample of thorium-232 is used in an experiment in a laboratory.
Explain why its activity may be regarded as constant.
S.
...........................................................................................................................................
N.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
By [Total: 4]
d
le
mb
se
As
6 (a) An atom consists of a nucleus made up of protons and neutrons, surrounded by orbiting
electrons.
(i) Which of these particles has a positive charge? .............................[1]
(ii) Which two of these particles have almost equal mass?
............................. and ............................. [1]

107
(b) A silver nucleus is denoted by 47 Ag. State the number of protons and the number of neutrons
in this nucleus.
number of protons = ................. number of neutrons = ................. [2]
S.
(c) The graph in Fig. 11.1 shows part of the decay curve of a radioactive nuclide. The count rate
is plotted against time.
N.
300
count rate
counts / s
By
200
d
le
100
mb
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
se
time / hours
Fig. 11.1
As
(i) Use the graph to find the half-life of this nuclide.
half-life = ...............................................[1]
(ii) Plot two more points on Fig. 11.1 at times greater than 10 hours. Use a dot in a circle to
indicate each point. [2]
[Total: 7]
7 Fig. 11.1 shows the paths of three α-particles moving towards a thin gold foil.
gold foil
S.
C
N.
Fig. 11.1
By
Particle A is moving directly towards a gold nucleus.
Particle B is moving along a line which passes close to a gold nucleus.
Particle C is moving along a line which does not pass close to a gold nucleus.
d
(a) On Fig. 11.1, complete the paths of the α-particles A, B and C. [3]
le
(b) State how the results of such an experiment, using large numbers of α-particles,
provides evidence for the existence of nuclei in gold atoms.
mb
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
se
..........................................................................................................................................
As
.................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 12]
8 (a) A sodium nucleus decays by the emission of a -particle to form magnesium.
(i) Complete the decay equation below.
24 Na
11 → Mg +
(ii) Fig. 11.1 shows -particles from sodium nuclei moving into the space between the
poles of a magnet.
-particles
S.
N.
S
Fig. 11.1
By
Describe the path of the -particles between the magnetic poles.
..................................................................................................................................
d
le
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
mb
[5]
se
As
(b) Very small quantities of a radioactive isotope are used to check the circulation of blood
by injecting the isotope into the bloodstream.
(i) Describe how the results are obtained.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(ii) Explain why a -emitting isotope is used for this purpose rather than one that
S.
emits either -particles or -particles.
..................................................................................................................................
N.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
[4]
By
[Total : 9]
d
le
mb
se
As
S.
N.
By
Radioactivity
d
le
mb
se
As
Radioactivity (Multiple Choice) QP
1 A radioactive nucleus emits either an α-particle or a β-particle.
What are the products of these two types of radioactive emission?
S.
product after α-emission product after β-emission
A a nucleus of a different element a nucleus of a different element
N.
B a nucleus of a different element a nucleus of the same element
C a nucleus of the same element a nucleus of a different element
D a nucleus of the same element a nucleus of the same element
By
2 A reading is taken every 10 minutes of the number of emissions per second from a radioactive
source. The table shows the readings.
d
le
number of
time / min emissions
per second
mb
0 800
10 560
se
20 400
30 280
As
40 200
50 140
60 100
What is the half-life of the source?
A 10 min B 20 min C 40 min D 60 min
3 The graph shows how the decay rate of a radioactive source changes with time.
4000
decay rate
3000
decays / s
2000
1000
S.
0 2 10
time / days
N.
What will be the activity at 8 days?
A 0 decays / s
B 125 decays / s
By
C 250 decays / s
D 500 decays / s
d
le
4 Radioactive materials should be handled carefully.
Which safety precaution does not reduce the risk to people using a radioactive material?
mb
A keeping the material a long distance from people

B
se
keeping the material at a low temperature

C using lead screening between the material and people
As
D using the material for only a short time
5 A sample of a radioactive isotope has an initial rate of emission of 128 counts per minute and a
half-life of 4 days.
How long will it take for the rate of emission to fall to 32 counts per minute?
A 2 days B 4 days C 8 days D 12 days
6 A scientist carries out an experiment using a sealed source which emits β-particles. The range
of the β-particles in the air is about 30 cm.
Which precaution is the most effective to protect the scientist from the radiation?
A handling the source with long tongs

B keeping the temperature of the source low
C opening all windows in the laboratory
D washing his hands before leaving the laboratory
S.
7 Which row describes the nature of α-particles and of γ-rays?
N.
α-particles γ-rays
A helium nuclei electromagnetic radiation

B helium nuclei electrons
By
C protons
rotons electromagnetic radiation
D protons
rotons electrons
d
le
8 The diagram shows the paths of three different types of radiation, X, Y and Z.
X
mb
Y
se
2 mm of 10 mm of 50 mm
As
plastic aluminium of lead
Which row in the table correctly identifies X, Y and Z?
X Y Z
A α-particles β-particles γ-rays

B β-particles α-particles γ-rays
C β-particles γ-rays α-particles
D γ-rays α-particles β-particles
9 A powder contains 400 mg of a radioactive isotope that emits α-particles.
The half-life of the isotope is 5 days.
What mass of this isotope remains after 10 days?
A 0 mg B 40 mg C 100 mg D 200 mg
10 Which row gives the properties of the radiation from radioactive materials?
S.
most penetrating radiation most highly ionising radiation
N.
A α β
B β γ
C γ By α
D γ γ
11 In a laboratory, a detector of ionising radiation records an average background count rate of

8 counts per second.
d
detector
le
counts / s
mb
A radioactive source is now placed close to the detector. The count rate on the detector rises to
200 counts per second.
se
detector
As
counts / s
radioactive
source
What is the count rate due to radiation from the radioactive source?
A 25 counts / s
B 192 counts / s
C 200 counts / s
D 208 counts / s
12 Which statement about α-radiation is correct?
A It is a stream of fast-moving electrons.

B It is a form of electromagnetic radiation.
C It is more highly ionising than γ-radiation.
D It is more penetrating than β-radiation.
S.
13 A radioactive source produces a count rate on a detector of 1600 counts / s.
N.
After 32 hours the count rate has fallen to 100 counts / s.
Both count rates have been corrected for background radiation.

By
A 2.0 hours B 6.4 hours C 8.0 hours D 16 hours
d
14 α, β and γ-radiations are emitted by radioactive substances.

le
Which statement is correct?
A α-radiation consists of charged particles and is the most highly ionising radiation.
mb
B β-radiation consists of charged particles and is the most penetrating radiation.

se
C β-radiation consists of uncharged particles and is the least highly ionising radiation.
D γ-radiation consists of uncharged particles and is the least penetrating radiation.

As
15 W
hich
rowshowsthenatu re and the penetrating ability of β-particles?
nature most are stopped by
A electron a few mm of aluminium

B electron a thin sheet of paper
C helium nucleus a few mm of aluminium
D helium nucleus a thin sheet of paper
16 A radioactive isotope is placed near a detector. The readings on the detector are corrected for
background radiation and recorded every hour.
The table shows the corrected readings.
What is the half-life of the isotope?
A between 0 and 1 hour
S.
B between 1 hour and 2 hours
C between 2 hours and 3 hours
N.
D between 3 hours and 4 hours
17 A student investigates how the radiation from a radioactive source changes with time.
By
The table shows the results from the detector used by the student.
d
le
mb
se
As
The experiment is repeated by many other students, who also measure the count rate every two
minutes.
The half-life of the source is known to be exactly 2.0 minutes.
Why is the measured count rate always greater than half the previous value?
A Radioactive emissions occur randomly with time.

B The detector used is very close to the source.
C There is background radiation present.
D The radioactive source is decaying.
18
ionising effect penetrating ability
A α greater than β α greater than β

B α greater than β α less than β
C α less than β α greater than β
S.
D α less than β α less than β
N.
19 A radioactive substance has a half-life of 2 weeks. At the beginning of an investigation, a sample
of the substance emits 3000 β-particles per minute.
By
How many β-particles will it emit per minute after 6 weeks?
A 0 B 375 C 500 D 1500

d
20 The table shows the results of an experiment to find the half-life of a radioactive substance.
le
mb
se
As
What is the half-life of the substance?
A 60 seconds
B 120 seconds
C 180 seconds
D 240 seconds
21 The diagram shows a box used for storing radioactive sources.
S.
N.
Which material is best for lining the box to prevent the escape of most radioactive emissions?
A aluminium By
B copper
C lead
D steel
d
le
22 Compared with β-particles and γ-rays, α-particles

mb
A are the only type of radiation to carry a charge.

B have the greatest ionising effect.
se
C have the greatest penetrating effect.

D have the smallest mass.
As
23 In a cathode-ray tube, a hot tungsten cathode releases particles by thermionic emission.
What are these particles?
A α-particles
B electrons
C protons
D tungsten atoms
24 The diagram shows a radioactive source, a thick aluminium sheet and a radiation detector.
S.
radioactive thick aluminium radiation detector
source sheet
N.
The radiation detector shows a reading greater than the background reading.
Which type of radiation is being emitted by the source and detected by the detector?
A α-radiation By
B β-radiation
C γ-radiation
D infra-red radiation
d
le
25 The count rate from a radioactive isotope is recorded every hour. The count rate is corrected for
background radiation.
mb
The table shows the readings.

se
time / hours 0 1 2 3 4 5
corrected count rate

800 620 480 370 290 220
As
counts / s
What estimate of the half-life of the isotope can be obtained from the readings in the table?
A between 1 and 2 hours

B between 2 and 3 hours
C between 3 and 4 hours
D between 4 and 5 hours
26 A radioactive source emits three types of radiation R, S and T.
The diagram shows an experiment set up to study the penetrating properties of R, S and T.
paper few mm of few cm
S.
aluminium of lead
Which types of radiation are R, S and T?
N.
R S T
A α-particles β-particles By γ-rays

B α-particles γ-rays β-particles
C β-particles α-particles γ-rays
D γ-rays β-particles α-particles
d
le
27 The half-life of a radioactive substance is 10 minutes. A sample of the radioactive substance

contains 2000 nuclei.
mb
How many radioactive nuclei were in the sample half an hour earlier?
A 250 B 4000 C 6000 D 16 000

se
As
28 In a cathode-ray tube, particles are fired at a screen.
What are these particles?
A α-particles
B electrons
C neutrons
D protons
29 A radi
ation detector is placed close to a source of β-particles.
Aluminium sheets of increasing thickness are placed between the source and the detector.
source of
β-particles
S.
aluminium sheet detector
N.
Eventually a sheet which is 2.0 cm thick is used. The reading on the detector decreases, but does
not fall to zero.
Why does the reading not fall to zero?
A
By
Some of the β-particles go round the edges of the sheet.
B The detector is too close to the source.
C There is always some background radiation.
d
D The sheet can never be thick enough to absorb all the β-particles.
le
30 The graph shows how the count rate on a detector due to a radioactive source changes with time.
mb
4800
se
count rate
counts per minute
As
2400
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
time / hours
What is the count rate at 5.0 hours?
A 960 counts per minute

B 600 counts per minute
C 150 counts per minute
D 0 counts per minute
31 A radioactive substance emits a particle from the nucleus of one of its atoms. The particle
consists of two protons and two neutrons.
What is the name of this process?
A α-emission
B β-emission
C γ-emission
D
S.
nuclear fission
N.
32 Why are some radioactive sources stored in boxes made from lead?
A Lead absorbs emissions from the radioactive sources.

B
By
Lead decreases the half-life of radioactive sources.
C Lead increases the half-life of radioactive sources.
D Lead repels emissions from the radioactive sources.
d
le
33 A radioactive nucleus emits

β-particle.
a
mb
β-particle
se
As
nucleus
What happens to the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus?
A It stays the same.

B It increases by 1.
C It decreases by 2.
D It decreases by 4.
34 The diagram shows the paths of three different types of radiation, X, Y and Z.
S.
Z
2 mm of 10 mm of 50 mm
N.
plastic aluminium of lead
Which row in the table correctly identifies X, Y and Z?
X Y Z
By
A α-particles β-particles γ-rays
B β-particles α-particles γ-rays
C β-particles γ-rays α-particles
d
D γ-rays α-particles β-particles

le
35 When measuring the emissions from a radioactive rock brought into the laboratory, a teacher
mb
mentions that background radiation must be taken into account.
What is this background radiation?

se
A infra-red radiation from warm objects in the laboratory

B infra-red radiation from the Sun
As
C ionising radiation from the radioactive rock brought into the laboratory
D ionising radiation in the laboratory when the radioactive rock is not present
36 Which row shows the relative ionising effects and penetrating α-particles
abilities of
and
β-particles?
ionising effect penetrating ability
A α greater than β α greater than β

B α greater than β α less than β
C α less than β α greater than β
S.
D α less than β α less than β
N.
37 A powder contains 400 mg of a radioactive material that emits α-particles.
The half-life of the material is 5 days. By

What mass of that material remains after 10 days?
A 0 mg B 40 mg C 100 mg D 200 mg
d
le
38 A scientist needs to use a source of γ-rays as safely as possible.
Which action will not reduce the amount of radiation that reaches the scientist?
mb
A keeping the distance between the source and the scientist as large as possible
B keeping the temperature of the source as low as possible
se
C keeping the time for which the scientist uses the source as small as possible
D
As
placing a lead screen between the scientist and the source
39 The graph shows the activity of a radioactive source over a period of time.
2000
activity
/ counts per
second
1500
S.
N.
1000
500
By
0
d
0
le
time / hour

mb
1
A hour B 1 hour C 1 1 hours D 3 hours
2 2
se
As
40 The arrangement shown is used to check whether the flour inside a cardboard packet is above a
certain level. If it is above this level, the flour absorbs the radiation from the source so that it
doesn’t reach the detector.
radioactive
source detector
flour
S.
cardboard
packet
N.
Which type of radiation is suitable to use?
A α-particles only By
B β-particles only
C either α-particles or β-particles
D γ-rays only
d
le
41 A reading is taken every 10 minutes of the number of emissions per second from a radioactive
source. The table shows the readings.
mb
number of
time / min emissions
per second
se
0 800
As
10 560
20 400
30 280
40 200
50 140
60 100
A 10 min B 20 min C 40 min D 60 min
42 A radioactive decay can be represented as shown.
233 233
91 Pa → 92 U
The equation is incomplete.
In this decay, the nucleus changes by
S.
A absorbing a neutron.
B absorbing a proton.
N.
C emitting an α-particle.
D emitting a β-particle.
By
43 The graph shows how the decay rate of a radioactive source changes with time.
4000
decay rate
3000
d
decays / s
le
2000
1000
mb
0
0 2 10
se
time / days
As
What will be the decay rate at 8 days?
A 0 decays / s
B 125 decays / s
C 250 decays / s
D 500 decays / s
44 Sodium-24 decays to magnesium-24 according to the following equation.
24 24
11Na → 12 Mg + emitted particle
What is the emitted particle?
A α-particle
B β-particle
C neutron
S.
D proton
N.
45 The reading on a detector placed near a radioactive material is 536 counts per second.
The background count rate is 44 counts per second.By

The half-life of the radioactive material is 34 hours.
What is the reading on the detector after 68 hours?

d
A 44 counts per second

le
B 123 counts per second

C 134 counts per second
mb
D 167 counts per second

se
46 A nucleus of a radioactive substance 218Po undergoes an α-decay followed by a β-decay.

84
What are the nucleon (mass) number and proton (atomic) number of the nuclide formed after
As
both decays have happened?
47 A scientist carries out an experiment using a sealed source β-particles.
which emits The range of
the β-particles in the air is about 30 cm.
Which precaution is the most effective to protect the scientist from the radiation?
A handling the source with long tongs

B keeping the temperature of the source low
C opening all windows in the laboratory
D washing his hands before leaving the laboratory
S.
48 Which row describes the nature of α-particles and of γ-rays?
N.
α-particles γ-rays
A helium nuclei electromagnetic radiation

By
B helium nuclei electrons
C protons electromagnetic radiation
D protons electrons
d
le
49 A beam of γ-rays passes between two charged metal plates as shown in the diagram.
mb
–
se
γ-rays
As
How do the γ-rays pass between the two charged plates?
A The rays are deflected in a direction perpendicular to the page

B The rays are deflected towards the negative plate.
C The rays are deflected towards the positive plate.
D The rays will continue in the same direction.
50 A powder contains 400 mg of a radioactive isotope that emits α-particles.
The half-life of the isotope is 5 days.
What mass of this isotope remains after 10 days?
A 0 mg B 40 mg C 100 mg D 200 mg
S.
N.
By
d
le
mb
se
As
Radioactivity 1 QP
131
1 (a) An iodine isotope 53 I decays by β-emission to an isotope of xenon (Xe).
131
(i) State the number of each type of particle in a neutral atom of 53 I.
protons ......................... neutrons ......................... electrons ......................... [2]
(ii) State the symbol, in nuclide notation, for the xenon nucleus.
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
(b) The background count rate of radioactivity in a laboratory is 30 counts / min.
S.
A radioactive sample has a half-life of 50 minutes. The sample is placed at a fixed distance
from a detector. The detector measures an initial count rate from the sample, including
background, of 310 counts / min.
N.
On Fig. 10.1, plot suitable points and draw a graph of the count rate from the sample,
corrected for background, as it changes with time.
300 By
corrected
count rate
counts / min
d
le
200
mb
se
As
100
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
time / min
Fig. 10.1 [3]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 73/119 [Total: 7]
2 Emissions from a radioactive source pass through a hole in a lead screen and into a magnetic
field, as shown in Fig. 10.1. The experiment is carried out in a vacuum.
radioactive A magnetic field

source into paper
lead
screen
S.
C
3 cm
N.
Fig. 10.1
Radiation detectors are placed at A, B and C. They give the following readings:
A
By C
32 counts / min 5 counts / min 3 counts / min
The radioactive source is then completely removed, and the readings become:
d
le
A C
33 counts / min counts / min counts / min

mb
From the data given for positions A, B and C, deduce the type of emissions coming from the
radioactive source. Explain your reasoning.
se
As
[7]
[Total: 7]
3 (a) State the nature of γ-rays.
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) A beam of α-particles and β-particles passes, in a vacuum, between the poles of a strong
magnet.
Compare the deflections of the paths of the two types of particle.
...................................................................................................................................................
S.
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
N.
(c) A beam of β-particles passes, in a vacuum, through the electric field between a pair of
oppositely charged metal plates.
Describe the path of the particles.

By
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
d
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
le
(d) The nuclear equation shows the decay of an isotope of polonium.

mb
A Po 206 Pb + 42 X
Z 82
se
(i) State the nature of X.
...........................................................................................................................................
As
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Calculate the values of A and Z.
A = .................... Z = ..................... [1]
[Total: 7]
4 (a) State the nature of an α-particle.
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Describe how an electric field between two charged plates could be used to determine
whether a beam of particles consists of α- or β-particles.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
S.
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
(c) Describe the path of γ-rays in a magnetic field.
N.
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
By
(d) State what is meant by the term isotopes. Use the terms proton number and nucleon number
in your explanation.
...................................................................................................................................................
d
...................................................................................................................................................
le
...................................................................................................................................................
mb
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[3]
se
[Total: 7]
As
5 (a) An underground water pipe has cracked and water is leaking into the surrounding ground.
Fig. 11.1 shows a technician locating the position of the leak.
technician
ground surface
water that leaked

metal water pipe into ground
S.
crack in water pipe
N.
Fig. 11.1
A radioactive isotope is introduced into the water supply and the water that leaks from the
crack is radioactive.
By
The technician tries to locate an area above the pipe where the radioactive count rate is
higher than in the surrounding area.
d
(i) State and explain the type of radiation that must be emitted by the isotope for the leak to
le
be detected.
...........................................................................................................................................
mb
...........................................................................................................................................
se
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
(ii) The half-life of the isotope used is 6.0 hours.

As
Explain why an isotope with this half-life is suitable.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
(b) Caesium-133 is a stable isotope of the element caesium, but caesium-135 is radioactive.
A nucleus of caesium-133 contains 78 neutrons and a nucleus of caesium-135 contains

80 neutrons.
Put one tick in each row of the table to indicate how the number of particles in a neutral atom
of caesium-133 compares with the number of particles in a neutral atom of caesium-135.
The first row has been completed already.
particles in caesium-133
2 more than 1 more than equal to 1 fewer than 2 fewer than
S.
caesium-135 caesium-135 caesium-135 caesium-135 caesium-135
number of
✓
N.
neutrons
number of
protons
number of
By
nucleons
number of
electrons
d
[2]
le
[Total: 6]
mb
se
As
6 (a) The counter of a radiation detector placed close to a radioactive source gives a count rate of
1600 counts / s. The half-life of the source is 1 week.
Ignoring background radiation, calculate the count rate
(i) 1 week after the first measurement,
count rate = ...........................................................[1]
(ii) 3 weeks after the first measurement.
S.
N.
count rate = ...........................................................[1]
(b) Fig. 11.1 shows the arrangement for an experiment to investigate the shielding of radioactive
sources.
By
position of thick card 5 mm steel 20 cm lead
samples
d
le
A B C D E
mb
20 cm air
se
Fig. 11.1 (not to scale)

As
Samples containing three different radioactive sources are placed, one at a time, in the
position shown.
The table shows the count rates when a radiation detector is placed at the positions A to E.
Complete the table to indicate whether α-particles, β-particles or γ-rays are emitted from each
sample.
A B C D E type of radiation emitted
sample 1 high high high high low
sample 2 high high low 0 0
sample 3 high 0 0 0 0
[3]
(c) State which type of radiation, α, β or γ, is the most strongly ionising.
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
S.
[Total: 6]
N.
By
d
le
mb
se
As
7 (a) Complete the table below for the three types of radiation.
radiation nature charge stopped by
electromagnetic
γ
radiation
β negative
α thick paper
S.
[3]
(b) An isotope of strontium is represented in nuclide notation as 90Sr.
N.
38
For a neutral atom of this isotope, state
(i) the proton number, ............... By

(ii) the nucleon number, ...............
(iii) the number of neutrons, ...............

d
(iv) the number of electrons. ...............

le
[3]
(c) A sample of a radioactive material is placed near a radiation detector. A count-rate of

4800 counts / s is detected from the sample. After 36 hours the count-rate has fallen to
mb
600 counts / s.
Calculate how many more hours must pass for the count-rate to become 150 counts / s.
se
As
number of hours = ............................................... [3]
[Total: 9]
Radioactivity 2 QP
1 Fig. 11.1 shows a beam of radiation that contains α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays. The beam
enters a very strong electric field between charged plates in a vacuum.
plate at positive voltage
beam of radiation
plate at negative voltage
Fig. 11.1
S.
(a) Indicate the deflection, if any, of the α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays, by placing one tick in
each column of the table.
N.
possible deflection α-particles β-particles γ-rays
no deflection
towards positive plate

By
towards negative plate
out of the paper

d
into the paper

le
[3]
(b) The radiation is said to be ionising. Explain what this means.

mb
...................................................................................................................................................
se
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(c) α-particles are more strongly ionising and have a shorter range in air than γ-rays.
As
Use your knowledge of the nature of these radiations to explain these differences.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [3]
[Total: 7]
2 A technician sets up a radiation detector in a university laboratory, for use in some experiments.
Even before the radioactive source for the experiment is brought into the laboratory, the detector
registers a low count rate.
(a) Suggest what causes this count rate.
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) A radioactive source that emits α-particles is placed on the laboratory bench and the source
is gradually moved closer to the detector.
At first, the detector continues to register a low count rate sometimes slightly less than the
count rate registered without the source. The count rate suddenly increases to a very high
value when the source is very close to the detector.
S.
Explain these changes in the count rate.
...................................................................................................................................................
N.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
By
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[3]
d
(c) In a second experiment, α-particles pass between two parallel, horizontal metal plates in a
vacuum.
le
They then continue to the detector as shown in Fig. 9.1.
metal plate
mb
_-particles
se
source detector
As
metal plate
Fig. 9.1
A positive charge is established on the upper plate and a negative charge on the lower plate.
(i) On Fig. 9.1, sketch the new path of the α-particles. [2]
(ii) State what happens to the count rate registered by the detector.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 83/119 [Total: 7]

3 (a) A technician sets up a radiation detector in a university laboratory for use in a class
experiment.
(i) A radioactive source that emits β-particles is placed on the laboratory bench, 10 cm from
the detector. A small count rate is registered.
1. State the name of the particle, found in an atom, that is identical to a β-particle.
............................................................................................................................... [1]
2. The technician sets up the same equipment in the same way every year. He notices
that the count rate registered by the detector every year is slightly smaller than it
was the previous year.
Suggest why this is so.
S.
....................................................................................................................................
N.
....................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii)
By
In a second experiment, the same equipment is set up but a radioactive source that
emits α-particles is placed 10 cm from the detector. The same number of particles are
emitted every second from this source as were emitted from the β-source in (i).
Explain why the count rate obtained is much lower.

d
...........................................................................................................................................
le
...........................................................................................................................................
mb
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) In another experiment, β-particles pass between two parallel, horizontal metal plates in a
se
vacuum. They then continue to the detector as shown in Fig. 10.1.
metal plate
As
`–particles
source detector
metal plate
Fig. 10.1
A very high p.d. is connected between the plates, with the lower plate positive.
[2]
On Fig. 10.1, sketch the new path of the β-particles.
[Total: 7]
4 A technician sets up a radiation detector in a university laboratory, for use in some experiments.
Even before the radioactive source for the experiments is brought into the laboratory, the detector
registers a small count rate due to background radiation.
(a) Suggest one source of this background radiation.
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) The radioactive source emits γ-rays. It is placed on the laboratory bench close to the detector.
(i) State what γ-rays are.
S.
...........................................................................................................................................
N.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
(ii) A lead sheet of thickness 10 mm is positioned between the detector and the radioactive
source.
By
State and explain what happens to the count rate on the detector.
...........................................................................................................................................
d
le
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
mb
se
As
(c) In a second experiment, γ-rays pass through air to the detector, as shown in Fig. 10.1.
a-rays
detector
source
Fig. 10.1
One end of a bar magnet is brought close to the path of the γ-rays.
(i) Tick one box to indicate the effect on the path of the γ-rays. [1]
S.
deflected into the page
N.
deflected out of the page
deflected downwards
deflected upwards
By
no deflection
d
(ii) Explain your answer to (i).

le
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
mb
[Total: 7]
se
As
5 (a) Complete the following statements.
(i) An α-particle consists of ......................................................................................... .
(ii) A β-particle consists of ........................................................................................... .

[3]
(b) As α-particles and β-particles pass through a gas, molecules of the gas become ionised.
Explain what is meant by the ionisation of a gas molecule.
..........................................................................................................................................
S.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) Fig. 11.1 shows a beam of α-particles and a beam of β-particles in a vacuum. The
N.
beams are about to enter a region in which a very strong magnetic field is acting. The
direction of the magnetic field is into the page.
By
_-particles
d
le
`-particles
uniform
mb
magnetic field
se
Fig. 11.1
(i) Suggest why the paths of the particles in the magnetic field are curved.
As
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Sketch the paths of both types of particle in the magnetic field. [3]
[Total: 8]
6 In a laboratory experiment, the isotope uranium-238 is used as a source of α-particles.
(a) State
(i) one feature of uranium-238 nuclei that is the same for the nuclei of other uranium
isotopes,
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) one feature of uranium-238 nuclei that is different for the nuclei of other uranium
isotopes.
............................................................................................................................. [1]
S.
(b) Fig. 9.1 shows the α-particles from the uranium source being directed at a very thin gold
foil, in a vacuum.
N.
thin gold foil
moveable
_-particle
detector
By
uranium source
d
le
vacuum
_-particles
mb
Fig. 9.1
To investigate the scattering of α-particles, a detector is moved to different positions

se
around the very thin gold foil and measurements are recorded.
Describe the results from this scattering experiment and explain what they show about
As
the structure of atoms.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
[Total: 6]
..................................................................................................................................... [4]
7 In a laboratory at a nuclear power station, a radiation detector is connected to a computer.
The readings recorded are displayed on the computer screen.
The detector is switched on. Ten minutes later, at time t = 10 minutes, a small sample of
radioactive material is removed from a nuclear reactor and placed near to the detector.
Readings are recorded for a further 40 minutes. Fig. 11.1 shows the display.
90
80
count-rate 70
counts / minute
S.
60
50
N.
40
30 By
20
10
d
0
le
0 10 20 30 40 50
time t / minutes
mb
Fig. 11.1
(a) Use Fig. 11.1 to determine the background count-rate in the laboratory.
se
background count-rate = ................................................. [1]

As
(b) Use Fig. 11.1 to determine the count-rate due to the radioactive sample
(i) at t = 10 minutes,
count-rate due to sample = ......................................................
(ii) at t = 19 minutes.
count-rate due to sample = ......................................................

[2]
(c) Use the values obtained in (b) to estimate the half-life of the radioactive sample.
half-life = ................................................. [2]
[Total: 5]
S.
N.
By
d
le
mb
se
As
Radioactivity 3 QP
1 In a research laboratory, a radioactive sample is placed close to a radiation detector. The

graph in Fig. 11.1 shows the decay of the sample.
60
50
detector reading 40
counts / min
30
20
S.
10
N.
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
time / days
By
Fig. 11.1
(a) After 6 days the count rate hardly decreases and, in fact, increases a little at times.
Explain these observations.
d
..........................................................................................................................................
le
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
mb
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) Use the graph to determine the half-life of the sample. Explain your working carefully.
se
As
half-life = ................................................. [4]
(c) Another radioactive sample is a strong emitter of α-particles and γ-rays. A junior
researcher suggests that a sufficient safety precaution, when working with this sample,
would be to hold the sample with long forceps. Explain why this suggestion, although
helpful, may be insufficient.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 8]
S.
N.
By
d
le
mb
se
As
2 (a) A radioactive source emits α-, β- and γ-radiation.
Which of these radiations
(i) has the shortest range in air, ..............................
(ii) has a negative charge, ..............................
(iii) is not deflected in a magnetic field? ..............................

[2]
(b) In a famous experiment, carried out in a vacuum, a very thin sheet of gold was placed in
the path of alpha particles.
S.
It was found that a large number of the alpha particles passed through the sheet with
little or no deflection from their original path. A very small number of the alpha particles
N.
were reflected back towards the source.
(i) Explain, in terms of the force acting, why the direction of motion of an alpha particle
changes when it comes close to the nucleus of a gold atom.
By
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
d
............................................................................................................................ [2]
le
(ii) State two conclusions, about the nuclei of atoms, that were made from the results
of this experiment.
mb
1. ...............................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
se
2. ...............................................................................................................................
As
..................................................................................................................................
[2]
[Total: 6]
3 (a) Six different nuclides have nucleon and proton numbers as follows:
nuclide nucleon number proton number
A 214 84
B 214 85
C 211 84
D 211 86
E 210 82
S.
F 210 83
N.
State which two nuclides are isotopes of the same element. .................. and ................. [1]
(b) Thorium-232 has a half-life of 1.4 × 1010 years.

By
At a particular instant, the activity of a sample of thorium-232 is 120 Bq.
(i) Calculate the time taken for the activity of this sample to fall to 15 Bq.
d
le
mb
time taken ...........................................................[1]

se
As
(ii) Explain why, when the activity has become 15 Bq, much of the sample will no longer be
thorium-232.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(iii) The sample of thorium-232 is used in an experiment in a laboratory.
Explain why its activity may be regarded as constant.
S.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
N.
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
By [Total: 4]
d
le
mb
se
As
4 (a) An atom consists of a nucleus made up of protons and neutrons, surrounded by orbiting
electrons.
(i) Which of these particles has a positive charge? .............................[1]
(ii) Which two of these particles have almost equal mass?
............................. and ............................. [1]

107
(b) A silver nucleus is denoted by 47 Ag. State the number of protons and the number of neutrons
in this nucleus.
number of protons = ................. number of neutrons = ................. [2]
S.
(c) The graph in Fig. 11.1 shows part of the decay curve of a radioactive nuclide. The count rate
is plotted against time.
N.
300
count rate
counts / s
By
200
d
le
100
mb
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
se
time / hours
Fig. 11.1
As
(i) Use the graph to find the half-life of this nuclide.
half-life = ...............................................[1]
(ii) Plot two more points on Fig. 11.1 at times greater than 10 hours. Use a dot in a circle to
indicate each point. [2]
[Total: 7]
5 Emissions from a radioactive source pass through a hole in a lead screen and into a magnetic
field, as shown in Fig. 10.1.
radioactive A magnetic field

source into paper
lead
S.
screen
N.
C
3 cm
Fig. 10.1
By
Radiation detectors are placed at A, B and C. They give the following readings:
A B C
d

le
The radioactive source is then completely removed, and the readings become:
mb
A B C
se

As
(a) Explain why there are still counts being recorded at A, B and C, even when the radioactive
source has been removed, and give the reason for them being slightly different.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) From the data given, deduce the type of emission being detected, if any, at A, at B and at C
when the radiation source is present.
State the reasons for your answers.
detector at A .............................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
detector at B .............................................................................................................................
S.
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [3]
N.
detector at C .............................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
By
............................................................................................................................................. [3]
[Total: 10]
d
le
mb
se
As
Radioactivity 4 QP
1 A radioactive source is placed near a radiation detector connected to a counter, as shown in

Fig. 11.1.
radioactive radiation
counter
source detector
Fig. 11.1
(a) The count rate, measured over three successive minutes, gives values of
S.
720 counts / minute
691 counts / minute
N.
739 counts / minute.
Explain why a variation like this is to be expected in such an experiment.

By
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) The radiation detector and counter are left untouched. The radioactive source is put in its lead
d
container and returned to the metal security cupboard.

le
Once this has been done, a further measurement is taken over one minute.
This gives a reading of 33 counts / minute.

mb
(i) State the name used for the radioactivity being detected during this minute.
se
...........................................................................................................................................
(ii) Suggest two possible sources for this radioactivity.

As
1. ........................................................................................................................................
2. .................................................................................................................................. [3]
[Total: 4]
2 A beam of ionising radiation, containing -particles, -particles and -rays, is travelling left to
right across the page. A magnetic field acts perpendicularly into the page.
(a) In the table below, tick the boxes that describe the deflection of each of the types of
radiation as it passes through the magnetic field. One line has been completed, to help
you.
not deflected deflected large small

deflected towards towards deflection deflection
top of page bottom of page
-particles ✓ ✓
S.
-particles
N.
-rays
[3]
(b) An electric field is now applied, in the same region as the magnetic field and at the
same time as the magnetic field.
By
What is the direction of the electric field in order to cancel out the deflection of the
-particles?
d
.................................................................................................................................... [2]
le
[Total: 5]
mb
se
As
3 Fig. 11.1 shows the paths of three α-particles moving towards a thin gold foil.
gold foil
S.
C
N.
Fig. 11.1
By
Particle A is moving directly towards a gold nucleus.
Particle B is moving along a line which passes close to a gold nucleus.
Particle C is moving along a line which does not pass close to a gold nucleus.
d
(a) On Fig. 11.1, complete the paths of the α-particles A, B and C. [3]
le
(b) State how the results of such an experiment, using large numbers of α-particles,
provides evidence for the existence of nuclei in gold atoms.
mb
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
se
..........................................................................................................................................
As
.................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 12]
4 Fig. 11.1 shows an experiment to test the absorption β- particles
of by thin sheets of
aluminium. Ten sheets are available, each 0.5 mm thick.
β-particle source
detector counter
sheets of
aluminium
S.
Fig. 11.1
N.
(a) Describe how the experiment is carried out, stating the readings that should be taken.
..........................................................................................................................................
By
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
d
.................................................................................................................................... [4]
le
(b) State the results that you would expect to obtain.

mb
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
se
..........................................................................................................................................
As
.................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 6]
5 Fig. 11.1 shows a beam of radiation that contains
α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays. The
beam enters a very strong magnetic field shown in symbol form by N and S poles.
beam of
radiation
S.
Fig. 11.1
N.
Complete the table below.
direction of deflection, charge carried by

radiation
if any
By radiation, if any
α-particles
β-particles
γ-rays
d
[6]
le
[ Total : 6 ]
mb
se
As
6 (a) α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays are known as ionising radiations.
(i) Describe what happens when gases are ionised by ionising radiations.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(ii) Suggest why α-particles are considered better ionisers of gas than β-particles.
..................................................................................................................................
S.
..................................................................................................................................
[3]
N.
(b) (i) Suggest two practical applications of radioactive isotopes.
1. ..............................................................................................................................
By
2. ..............................................................................................................................
(ii) For one of the applications that you have suggested, describe how it works, or draw
a labelled diagram to illustrate it in use.
d
..................................................................................................................................
le
..................................................................................................................................
mb
..................................................................................................................................
se
As
[4]
7 (a) Fig. 10.1 is the decay curve for a radioactive isotope that emits only β- particles.
400
count rate
300
counts / min
200
100
S.
0 10 20 30 40
time / min
N.
Fig. 10.1
Use the graph to find the value of the half-life of the isotope.
Indicate, on the graph, how you arrived at your value.

By
half-life …………………………. [2]
d
(b) A student determines the percentage of β-particles absorbed by a thick aluminium

le
sheet. He uses a source that is emitting only β-particles and that has a long half-life.
(i) In the space below, draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus required, set up to
mb
make the determination.

se
As
[2]
(ii) List the readings that the student needs to take.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................. [3]
[ Total : 7 ]
S.
N.
By
d
le
mb
se
As
Radioactivity 5 QP
1 A radioactive source emits only β- particles.
(a) A scientist wishes to investigate the deflection of β-particles by an electric field. Draw a
labelled diagram to suggest a suitable experimental arrangement.
S.
[3]
N.
(b) State how the apparatus would be used to show the deflection of the β-particles by the
electric field.
..........................................................................................................................................
By
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
d
(c) State how the results would show the deflection of the β-particles.
le
..........................................................................................................................................
mb
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(d) Explain the direction of the deflection obtained.

se
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
As
[ Total : 7 ]
2 (a) The decay of a nucleus of radium 226 88
Ra leads to the emission of an α-particle and
leaves behind a nucleus of radon (Rn).
In the space below, write an equation to show this decay. [2]
(b) In an experiment to find the range of α-particles in air, the apparatus in Fig. 11.1 was
used.
α−particle source detector
S.
N.
ruler
By
Fig. 11.1
The results of this experiment are shown below.

d
count rate / (counts/minute) 681 562 441 382 317 20 19 21 19

le
distance from source to detector/cm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

mb
(i) State what causes the count rate 9 cm from the source.
se
...................................................................................................................................
(ii) Estimate the count rate that is due to the source at a distance of 2 cm.
As
...................................................................................................................................
(iii) Suggest a value for the maximum distance that α-particles can travel from the
source.
...................................................................................................................................
(iv) Justify your answer to (iii).
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
[4]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 108/119 [Total : 6 ]

3 (a) A radioactive isotope emits only α-particles.
(i) In the space below, draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus you would use to
prove that no β-particles or γ-radiation are emitted from the isotope.
S.
N.
(ii) Describe the test you would carry out.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
By
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
d
(iii) Explain how your results would show that only α-particles are emitted.
le
...................................................................................................................................
mb
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
se
[6]
As
(b) Fig. 11.1 shows a stream of α-particles about to enter the space between the poles of a
very strong magnet.
α-particles
S
Fig. 11.1
S.
Describe the path of the α-particles in the space between the magnetic poles.
N.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
By
......................................................................................................................................[3]
[Total : 9]
d
le
mb
se
As
4 (a) A sodium nucleus decays by the emission of a -particle to form magnesium.
(i) Complete the decay equation below.
24 Na
11 → Mg +
(ii) Fig. 11.1 shows -particles from sodium nuclei moving into the space between the
poles of a magnet.
S.
-particles
N.
S
By
Fig. 11.1
Describe the path of the -particles between the magnetic poles.

d
..................................................................................................................................
le
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
mb
[5]
se
As
(b) Very small quantities of a radioactive isotope are used to check the circulation of blood
by injecting the isotope into the bloodstream.
(i) Describe how the results are obtained.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(ii) Explain why a -emitting isotope is used for this purpose rather than one that
emits either -particles or -particles.
S.
..................................................................................................................................
N.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
By [4]
[Total : 9]
d
le
mb
se
As
5 Fig. 10.1 is part of the decay curve for a sample of a β-emitting isotope.
100
% activity
75
50
25
0
0 5 10 15 20
S.
time / days
Fig. 10.1
N.
(a) Use Fig. 10.1 to find the half-life of the isotope.
By
half-life = .......................... [1]
(b) Complete Fig. 10.1 as far as time = 20 days, by working out the values of a number of
d
points and plotting them. Show your working. [2]

le
mb
se
(c) The decay product of the β-emitting isotope is not radioactive.

As
Explain why the sample of the radioactive isotope will be safer after 20 days than after
1 day. Support your answer by reference to the graph.
..........................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................[1]
(d) The isotope used for this decay curve may be represented by the symbol AZX.
Write down an equation, by filling in the gaps below, to show the β-decay of this isotope
to a decay product that has the symbol Y.
AX
Z → + Y [2]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 113/119 [Total : 6]

Radioactivity 6 QP
1 Bismuth-214 is radioactive. It has a half-life of 20 minutes.
(a) The nuclide notation for bismuth-214 is Bi.
State the composition of the nucleus of bismuth-214.
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) Bismuth-214 decays by β-decay to an isotope of polonium, Po.
S.
Complete the equation for the decay of bismuth-214.
N.
214
83Bi
→ ...........
...........
β + ...........
...........
Po
By [3]
(c) The count rate from a sample of bismuth-214 is 360 counts / s.

d
Predict the count rate from the sample after 60 minutes.

le
mb
se
count rate = ................................................................. [2]

As
(d) State two of the social, economic or environmental issues involved in the storage of radioactive
materials with very long half-lives.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 9]
2 (a) State, in terms of the particles in each nucleus, how the nuclei of two isotopes of the same
element are different.
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Fig. 11.1 shows a graph of nucleon number against proton number. The nucleus 21 2 Bi is
83
plotted on the graph at the cross marked P.
213
P
212
nucleon 211
S.
number
210
N.
209
208
79 80 81 82 83
By 84
proton number
Fig. 11.1
(i) On Fig. 11.1,
d
1. plot a cross labelled Q for the nucleus formed when the 21 2 Bi nucleus emits an
83
le
α-particle,
2. plot a cross labelled R for the nucleus formed when the 21 2 Bi nucleus emits a
83
mb
β-particle.
[4]
The half-life for the decay of 21823 Bi is 60 minutes.

se
(ii)
A sample of 21823 Bi is placed at a fixed distance from a detector. The initial measurement
of the count rate from the sample of 21823 Bi is 2400 counts per minute.
As
Calculate the count rate from the sample 5.0 hours later.
count-rate = ...........................................................[2]
[Total: 7]
3 Uranium-238 and uranium-234 are radioactive isotopes of the element uranium.
A uranium-238 nucleus is different from a uranium-234 nucleus but both decay by the emission of
an α-particle.
(a) (i) In terms of the particles in each, state how a nucleus of uranium-238 differs from a
nucleus of uranium-234.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
(ii) Although the two nuclei are different, they are both nuclei of uranium.
S.
State a property that makes these isotopes the same element.
N.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
By
(b) When α-particles pass through air, they are more strongly ionising than β-particles.
Suggest two reasons why this is so.
...................................................................................................................................................
d
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
le
(c) In an experiment, α-particles are allowed to strike a thin gold foil in a vacuum.
mb
Almost all the α-particles pass straight through the gold undeflected. Only a very small
number of α-particles are deflected from their original path.
se
This result reveals certain features of the atoms of the gold.
State what is shown about atoms by the fact that

As
(i) most α-particles pass straight through the gold undeflected,
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) some α-particles are deflected back the way they came.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
[Total: 7]
4 Fig. 10.1 shows a variable resistor (rheostat) and a solenoid (long coil) connected to a
battery.
variable
resistor
solenoid
battery
S.
N.
By
Fig. 10.1
The current in the solenoid produces a magnetic field.

d
(a) (i) On Fig. 10.1, draw lines to show the pattern of the magnetic field due to the current.
le
[2]
(ii) State the feature of the pattern of the magnetic field lines that indicates the strength
of the magnetic field at particular points.
mb
..................................................................................................................................
se
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) State and explain the effect on the magnetic field of increasing the resistance of the
As
variable resistor.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
(c) In a laboratory vacuum chamber, some current-carrying coils produce a very strong
magnetic field near a source of α-particles.
Fig. 10.2 shows the arrangement.
uniform
magnetic
_-particle field into
source page
S.
path of
_-particles
N.
Fig. 10.2
(i) In the shaded region of Fig. 10.2, draw a possible path for the α-particles in the
By
magnetic field. [2]
(ii) State and explain the effect on this path of reversing the current in the coils.
..................................................................................................................................
d
le
..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. [2]
mb
[Total: 9]
se
As
5 (a) Chlorine has two isotopes, one of nucleon number 35 and one of nucleon number 37.
The proton number of chlorine is 17.
Table 11.1 refers to neutral atoms of chlorine.
Complete Table 11.1.
nucleon number 35 nucleon number 37
number of protons
number of neutrons
S.
number of electrons
[3]
N.
Table 11.1
(b) Some isotopes are radioactive.
State the three types of radiation that may be emitted from radioactive isotopes.
By
1. .......................................................
2. .......................................................
d
3. ....................................................... [1]
le
(c) (i) State one practical use of a radioactive isotope.

mb
..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................ [1]
se
(ii) Outline how it is used.

As
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................ [1]
[Total: 6]

5.physics Classified QP-Unit5 Atomic

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

5.physics Classified QP-Unit5 Atomic

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Cambridge

2 A certain element has several isotopes.

Which statement about these isotopes is correct?

Which statement about the atom must be correct?

A The number of electrons is equal to the number of neutrons.

C The number of neutrons is equal to the number of protons.

4 Below are the symbols for five different nuclides.

Which two nuclides are isotopes of the same element?

A nuclide 1 and nuclide 2

A The neutron is attracted; the proton is repelled.

6 Below are four statements about isotopes of a certain element.

Which statement about the isotopes must be correct?

C They have the same number of neutrons.

D They have the same number of protons.

Which is an isotope of element X?

8 The charge on a proton is e.

What is the charge on an electron and what is the charge on a neutron?

What is true for atoms of this nuclide?

A There are 17 nucleons in the nucleus.

What is the composition of one nucleus of this nuclide?

What is the proton number of a nucleus of this nuclide?

A The nucleus contains electrons, neutrons and protons.

B The nucleus contains the same number of protons as neutrons.

The nucleus has a total charge of zero.

A nucleus of this type of polonium emits an α-particle.

How many electrons orbit the nucleus of a neutral atom of radium-226?

How many nucleons are now in the nucleus?

A 124 B 127 C 128 D 129

How many electrons orbit the nucleus of a neutral atom of radium-226?

22 A lithium nucleus contains 3 protons and 4 neutrons.

What is its nuclide notation?

23 A particular nuclide of chlorine can be represented by the symbol shown.

How many electrons are there in a neutral atom of this nuclide?

How many neutrons are in one nucleus of the nuclide?

What is the count rate at 5.0 hours?

A 960 counts per minute

How many nucleons are there in one atom of this nuclide?

29 A nucleus X has 17 protons and 18 neutrons.

Which notation is correct for this nucleus?

Which notation is correct for this nucleus?

31 A nucleus of helium has the symbol 32He.

Which diagram represents an atom of 32 He?

32 Which diagram could represent the structure of a neutral atom?

A It has an equal number of neutrons and protons.

What happens to the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus?

A It stays the same.

Which diagram represents a neutral atom of lithium?

How many electrons are there in a neutral atom of substance X?

Which equation represents this decay?

38 A certain element has several isotopes.

Which statement about these isotopes is correct?

A They must have different numbers of electrons orbiting their nuclei.

C They must have the same number of nucleons in their nuclei.

A alpha particles matter is made up of atoms

40 Below are the symbols for five different nuclides.

Which two nuclides are isotopes of the same element?

A nuclide 1 and nuclide 2

C nuclide 2 and nuclide 5

41 Below are four statements about isotopes of a certain element.

Which statement about the isotopes must be correct?

A They are radioactive.

Why are α-particles used rather than neutrons?