Name: ________________________

3.2.1 Particles Constituents Of The

Atom Class: ________________________

Date: ________________________

Time: 240 minutes

Marks: 216 marks

Comments:

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 A radioactive source emits alpha particles each with 8.1 × 10–13 J of kinetic energy.
1.
(a) Show that the velocity of an alpha particle with kinetic energy 8.1 × 10–13 J is approximately
2 × 107 m s–1

specific charge of an alpha particle = 4.81 × 107 C kg–1

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) The alpha particles travel through air in straight lines with a range of 3.5 cm

Calculate the average force exerted on an alpha particle as it is stopped by the air.

average force = ____________________ N

(2)

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(c) An alpha particle transfers all its kinetic energy to air molecules and produces 5.1 × 104
ions per centimetre over its range of 3.5 cm

Calculate the average ionisation energy, in eV, of a molecule of air.

ionisation energy = ____________________ eV

(3)

(d) A spark counter consists of a wire gauze separated from a metal wire by a small air gap. A
power supply with an output of 4500 V is connected in series with a 5.0 MΩ resistor and the
spark counter as shown in the diagram. When the radioactive source is moved close to the
wire gauze, sparking is seen in the air gap.

Sparks are produced when alpha particles produce ionisation in the air gap.

One ionisation event produces a current of 0.85 mA for a time of 1.2 ns

Calculate the number of charge carriers that pass a point in the connecting cable during
this ionisation event.

number of charge carriers = ____________________

(2)

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(e) The radioactive source was positioned 10 cm above the wire gauze before being moved
slowly towards the wire gauze leading to the ionisation event in part (d).

Discuss how the potential difference across the air gap varied as the radioactive source
was moved over this distance.

Assume the power supply has negligible internal resistance.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 12 marks)

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 The graph of neutron number against proton number shows three nuclei P, Q and R.
2.

Which row identifies an isotope of P and the nucleon number of this isotope of P?

Isotope of P Nucleon number of

isotope of P

A Q y+1

B Q x+y+1

C R x+y+1

D R x+1

(Total 1 mark)

The decay of a neutral kaon K0 is given by the equation

3.
K0 → X + Y + v̅e
What are X and Y?

X and Y

A e+ and e–

B μ+ and e–

C π+ and e–

D π– and e+
(Total 1 mark)

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 Fluoride ions are produced by the addition of a single electron to an atom of fluorine .
4.
What is the magnitude of specific charge of the fluoride ion?

A 3.2 × 10–26 C kg–1

B 8.4 × 10–21 C kg–1

C 5.0 × 106 C kg–1

D 4.5 × 107 C kg–1

(Total 1 mark)

Figure 1 represents an ion propulsion unit used on a spacecraft launched in 1998.

5.
Atoms of xenon-131 ( ) were injected from a storage tank into a chamber where they
became ionised due to collisions with electrons.

A negatively charged grid attracted the xenon ions, accelerating them out of the back of the ion
propulsion unit and causing the spacecraft to be propelled forward.

Figure 1

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(a) The mass of a Xe+ ion is 2.18 × 10–25 kg.

Calculate the specific charge of a Xe+ ion.

Give an appropriate unit for your answer.

specific charge = ____________________________ unit _____________

(2)

(b) The storage tank contained 79 kg of xenon. When the ion propulsion unit was switched on
it had an average power output of 2.1 kW.

Each xenon ion gained 1300 eV of energy as it was accelerated and ejected out of the
propulsion unit.

Calculate the energy, in J, gained by each xenon ion.

energy = ____________________________ J
(1)

(c) Determine the length of time the ion propulsion unit operated before all of the 79 kg of
xenon was used up.

mass of xenon atom = 2.18 × 10–25 kg

time = ____________________________ s
(3)

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 (d) Ion propulsion units could use helium ions instead of xenon ions.

An ion of helium-4 (He+) has a much higher specific charge than an ion of xenon-131 (Xe+).
Both ions would gain 1300 eV of kinetic energy in being accelerated and ejected from an
ion propulsion unit.

Suggest whether helium ions or xenon ions are better to use as a propellant in future space
programmes. In your answer you should compare the relative speeds and momentum
changes of the ions.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

When a nucleus of the radioactive isotope decays, a β– particle and an electron antineutrino
6.
are emitted.

How many protons and neutrons are there in the resulting daughter nucleus?

Number of protons Number of neutons

A 28 65

B 29 65

C 29 36

D 30 35

(Total 1 mark)

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 Which of the following nuclei has the smallest specific charge?
7.

(Total 1 mark)

What is the best estimate for the order of magnitude for the diameter of an atom?
8.

A 10−14 m

B 10−12 m

C 10−11 m

D 10−8 m

(Total 1 mark)

Which nucleus has a smaller value of specific charge than the nucleus ?
9.

(Total 1 mark)

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 When bombarded with an α particle the nuclide changes into another nuclide with the
10.
emission of a neutron and γ radiation.

What are the correct values for the nucleon number and proton number of the nuclide which is
formed?

Nucleon number Proton number

A 29 14

B 29 12

C 28 14

D 27 12

(Total 1 mark)

What are the numbers of hadrons, baryons and mesons in an atom of 73Li?
11.

hadrons baryons mesons

A 7 3 3

B 7 4 4

C 7 7 0

D 10 7 0

(Total 1 mark)

12. A calcium ion is formed by removing two electrons from an atom of . What is the specific
charge of the calcium ion?

A 3.2 × 10–19 C kg–1

B 2.9 × 10–18 C kg–1

C 4.8 × 106 C kg–1

D 4.8 × 107 C kg–1

(Total 1 mark)

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13. A common type of smoke detector contains a very small amount of americium-241,

(a) Determine the number of each type of nucleon in one americium-241 nucleus.

type of nucleon ____________________ number ____________________

type of nucleon ____________________ number ____________________

(2)

(b) Americium-241 is produced in nuclear reactors through the decay of plutonium,

State the decay process responsible for the production of americium-241. Explain your
answer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) An americium-241 nucleus decays into nuclide X by emitting an alpha particle.

Write an equation for the decay of the nucleus and determine the proton number and
nucleon number of X.

nucleon number ____________________

proton number ____________________

(3)

(d) The alpha radiation produced by americium-241 causes the ionisation of nitrogen and
oxygen molecules in the smoke detector.

State what is meant by ionisation.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

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 (e) A friend who has not studied physics suggests that a smoke detector containing radioactive
material should not be sold.

Use your knowledge of physics to explain why a smoke detector containing americium-241
does not provide any risk to the user.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

14. The nucleus of captures a proton and emits an α particle. What is the product nucleus?

(Total 1 mark)

Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe. The most common isotope of
15. helium is and a nucleus of this isotope has a rest energy of 3728 MeV.

In 2011, at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, anti-helium nuclei were produced. Nuclei of
anti-helium are made up of antiprotons and antineutrons.
It is suggested that an antineutron can decay to form an antiproton in a process similar to
β− decay.

In one particular collision between an anti-helium nucleus and a helium nucleus, the nuclei are
annihilated and two photons are formed.

(a) State what is meant by isotopes.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

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(b) Explain why two photons are formed instead of a single photon when a helium nucleus
annihilates with the anti-helium nucleus.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Calculate, using data from the passage, the maximum frequency of the photons produced
in this annihilation of a nucleus.

frequency = ____________________ Hz
(4)

(d) Complete this equation for the possible decay of an antineutron.

(2)

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 (e) What interaction would be responsible for the decay in part (d)?
Tick (✔) the correct answer in the right-hand column.

✔ if correct
electromagnetic

gravitational

strong nuclear

weak nuclear

(1)
(Total 11 marks)

The element uranium has an isotope U.

16.
(a) Explain what is meant by an isotope.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Determine the charge in coulomb of the U nucleus.

charge = ____________________ C
(2)

(c) A positive ion of U has a charge of +4.80 × 10−19 C.

Determine the number of electrons in the ion.

number of electrons = ____________________

(2)

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 (d) U decays by β− emission to form an isotope of neptunium (Np).

Complete the equation for this decay.

U→ Np + β− + ............

(3)
(Total 9 marks)

The table below contains five statements that refer to isotopes and some radium isotopes.
17.

Ra Ra Ra Ra
Isotope with the smallest mass number ✓

Isotope with most neutrons in nucleus

Isotope with nucleus which has the largest specific

charge

Isotope decays by β− decay to form Ac

Isotope decays by alpha decay to form Rn

(a) Complete the table by ticking one box in each row to identify the appropriate isotope. The
first row has been completed for you.
(4)

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 (b) (i) An atom of one of the radium isotopes in the table is ionised so that it has a charge of
+3.2 × 10–19 C.

State what happens in the process of ionising this radium atom.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) The specific charge of the ion formed is 8.57 × 105 C kg–1.

Deduce which isotope in the table has been ionised. Assume that both the mass of a
proton and the mass of a neutron in the nucleus is 1.66 × 10–27 kg.

isotope = ____________________
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

(a) The table below contains data for four different nuclei, P, Q, R and S.
18.

Number of
Nuclei Nucleon number
neutrons

P 5 11

Q 6 11

R 8 14

S 9 17

(i) Which nucleus contains the fewest protons?

nucleus ____________________
(1)

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 (ii) Which two nuclei are isotopes of the same element?

nuclei ____________________ and ____________________

(1)

(iii) State and explain which nucleus has the smallest specific charge.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(iv) Complete the following equation to represent β– decay of nucleus R to form

nucleus X.

(3)

(b) (i) The strong nuclear force is responsible for keeping the protons and neutrons bound
in a nucleus.
Describe how the strong nuclear force between two nucleons varies with the
separation of the nucleons, quoting suitable values for separation.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

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 (ii) Another significant interaction acts between the protons in the nucleus of an atom.
Name the interaction and name the exchange particle responsible for the interaction.

Interaction _____________________________________________________

Exchange particle _______________________________________________

(2)
(Total 12 marks)

19. An atom of calcium, , is ionised by removing two electrons.

(i) State the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in the ion formed.

protons____________________

neutrons____________________

electrons____________________
(3)

(ii) Calculate the charge of the ion.

charge ____________________ C
(1)

(iii) Calculate the specific charge of the ion.

specific charge ____________________ C kg–1

(2)
(Total 6 marks)

(a) Name the constituent of an atom which

20.
(i) has zero charge,

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) has the largest specific charge,

______________________________________________________________
(1)

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 (iii) when removed leaves a different isotope of the element.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) The equation

represents the decay of technetium−99 by the emission of a β– particle.

(i) Identify the particle X.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Determine the values of A and Z.

A = ____________________

Z = ____________________
(2)

(iii) Calculate the specific charge of the technetium−99 nucleus. State an

appropriate unit for your answer.

specific charge = ____________________ unit __________

(4)
(Total 10 marks)

(a) The nucleus of a particular atom has a nucleon number of 14 and a proton number of 6.
21.
(i) State what is meant by nucleon number and proton number.

nucleon number ________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

proton number __________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

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 (ii) Calculate the number of neutrons in the nucleus of this atom.

answer = ____________________
(1)

(iii) Calculate the specific charge of the nucleus.

answer = ____________________ Ckg–1

(3)

(b) The specific charge of the nucleus of another isotope of the element is 4.8 × 107 Ckg–1.

(i) State what is meant by an isotope.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) Calculate the number of neutrons in this isotope.

answer = ____________________
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

(a) The table gives information about some fundamental particles.

22.
Complete the table by filling in the missing information.

particle quark charge strangeness baryon

structure number

uud 0

Sigma + uus +1

ud̄ 0 0

(7)

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 (b) Each of the particles in the table has an antiparticle.

(i) Give one example of a baryon particle and its corresponding antiparticle.

particle _______________________________________________________

antiparticle ____________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) State the quark structure of an antibaryon.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iii) Give one property of an antiparticle that is the same for its corresponding particle and
one property that is different.

Same _________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Different ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 11 marks)

(a) State what is meant by the specific charge of a nucleus and give an appropriate unit for this
23. quantity.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

unit: ____________________
(2)

(b) Nucleus X has the same nucleon number as nucleus Y. The specific charge of X is 1.25
times greater than that of Y.

(i) Explain, in terms of protons and neutrons, why the specific charge of X is greater
than that of Y.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
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 (ii) Nucleus X is . Deduce the number of protons and the number of neutrons in
nucleus Y.

number of protons ____________________

number of neutrons ____________________

(4)
(Total 8 marks)

24. A neutral atom of a radium isotope may be represented by .

(a) (i) Name the constituents of this atom and state how many of each are present.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(ii) Which constituent of an atom has the largest specific charge?

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iii) This isotope of radium decays by β– decay to form an element with symbol, Ac. Write
down an equation that represents this decay.

(4)

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 (b) is a neutral atom of a different isotope of radium. State a possible value for
A and for Z.

A: _____________________________________________________________

Z: _____________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

(a) Explain what is meant by an isotope.

25.
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) The incomplete table shows information for two isotopes of uranium.

specific charge of
number of protons number of neutrons
nucleus/

first isotope 92 143

second isotope 3.7 × 107

(i) Write the unit for the specific charge in the heading of the last column of the table.
(1)

(ii) In the above table write down the number of protons in the second isotope in the
table.
(1)

(iii) Calculate the specific charge of the first isotope and write this in the table.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

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 (iv) Calculate the number of neutrons in the second isotope and put this number in the
table

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

26. (a) An ion of plutonium Pu has an overall charge of +1.6 × 10–19C.

For this ion state the number of

(i) protons ____________________

(ii) neutrons ____________________

(iii) electrons ____________________

(3)

(b) Plutonium has several isotopes.

Explain the meaning of the word isotopes.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

A radioactive isotope of carbon is represented by C.

27.
(a) Using the same notation, give the isotope of carbon that has two fewer neutrons.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

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 (b) Calculate the charge on the ion formed when two electrons are removed from an
atom of C.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Calculate the value of for the nucleus of an atom of C.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

(a) What are isotopes?

28.
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) One of the isotopes of nitrogen may be represented by N.

(i) State the number of each type of particle in its nucleus.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) Determine the ratio , in C kg–1, of its nucleus.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(4)

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 (c) (i) What is the charge, in C, of an atom of N from which a single electron has been
removed?

______________________________________________________________

(ii) What name is used to describe an atom from which an electron has been removed?

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

(a) Name the constituent of an atom which

29.
(i) has zero charge,

______________________________________________________________

(ii) has the largest charge to mass ratio,

______________________________________________________________

(iii) when removed leaves a different isotope of the element.

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(b) An α particle is the same as a nucleus of helium, He.

The equation

Th >Ra + α

represents the decay of thorium by the emission of an α particle.

Determine

(i) the values of X and Y, shown in the equation,

X = ____________________

Y = ____________________

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 (ii) the ratio

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

(a) (i) Determine the charge, in C, of a nucleus.

30.
______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) A positive ion with a nucleus has a charge of 4.80 × 10–19 C.

Determine how many electrons are in this ion.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(4)

(b) A nucleus may decay by emitting two β– particles to form a plutonium nucleus .
State what X and Y represent and give the numerical value of each.

X _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Y _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 8 marks)

31. (a) Give the number of nucleons and the number of electrons in an atom of Na.

nucleons ______________________

electrons ______________________
(2)

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 (b) The isotope Na is a positron emitter. In positron emission an up quark undergoes the
following change,

u → d + β+ + ve.

Show that charge, lepton number and baryon number are conserved in this decay.

charge _____________________________________________________________

lepton number ______________________________________________________

baryon number ______________________________________________________

(3)

(c) Describe what happens when a positron collides with an electron.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

(a) A stable atom contains 28 nucleons.

32.
Write down a possible number of protons, neutrons and electrons contained in the atom.

______________________ protons

______________________ neutrons

______________________ electrons
(2)

(b) An unstable isotope of uranium may split into a caesium nucleus, a rubidium nucleus and
four neutrons in the following process.

(i) Explain what is meant by isotopes.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) How many neutrons are there in the nucleus?

______________________________________________________________

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 (iii) Calculate the ratio , in C kg–1, for the nucleus.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(iv) Determine the value of X for the rubidium nucleus.

______________________________________________________________

X = ______________________
(6)
(Total 8 marks)

(a) How many protons, neutrons and electrons are there in an atom of ?
33.
______________________ protons

______________________ neutrons

______________________ electrons
(2)

(b) The atom loses two electrons.

For the ion formed;

(i) calculate its charge in C,

______________________________________________________________

(ii) state the number of nucleons it contains,

______________________________________________________________

(iii) calculate the ratio in C kg–1.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 6 marks)

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34. An atom of argon is ionised by the removal of two orbiting electrons.

(a) How many protons and neutrons are there in this ion?

____________________ protons

____________________ neutrons
(2)

(b) What is the charge, in C, of this ion?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Which constituent particle of this ion has

(i) a zero charge per unit mass ratio,

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) the largest charge per unit mass ratio?

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Calculate the percentage of the total mass of this ion that is accounted for by the mass of
its electrons.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

35. (a) The most abundant isotope of cobalt is represented by .

How many protons, neutrons and orbital electrons are there in a neutral atom of this
element?

____________________ protons

____________________ neutrons

____________________ electrons
(2)

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(b) How is the nuclide that has one less proton than the nickel nuclide, , represented?

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) (i) The heaviest isotope of hydrogen, whose nucleon number is 3, is called tritium.
How is tritium represented?

______________________________________________________________

(ii) Calculate the charge per unit mass, in C kg –1, for a tritium nucleus.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

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Mark schemes

1. (a) Mass of alpha particle = =6.6(53) × 10–27 (kg)

Allow mass = 2 × mp + 2 × mn = 6.696 × 10–27 kg

Allow mass = 4 × 1.66 × 10–27 kg = 6.64 × 10–27 kg
Allow mass = 4 × 1.67 × 10–27 kg = 6.68 × 10–27 kg
Allow slight rounding on mass (must be correct to 2 sf)

OR

Correctly re-arranged k.e. equation (with v2 or v as subject) with 8.1 × 10–13 (J) substituted
correctly1✔

1.56 × 107 seen 2✔

Condone incorrect mass in otherwise correct substitution with v
or v2 recognisable as subject .
Alternative approaches are:

Must see answer to at least 2 sf

Must see attempt to use one of the alternative approaches to
support correct answer
2

(b) Use of W = Fs, F = 8.1 × 10–13 ÷ 3.5 × 10–2 1✔

(F=) 2.3 × 10–11 (N) 2✔

Condone POT error
Correct answers gets 2 marks

OR

Use of an appropriate equation of motion to find a and F = ma

(allow their mass and their velocity in this sub) 1✔

Condone POT error

(F=) 2.3 × 10–11 (N) 2✔

Condone POT

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 OR

Use of an appropriate equation of motion to find t and F = ∆mv/t

(allow their mass and their velocity in this sub) 1✔

(F=) 2.3 × 10–11 (N) 2✔

[answer is

Using 2 × 107 m s–1 yields( 5.71 × 1015 × their m∞) – allow 1 sf

answer in this case
Expect to see 3.8 × 10–11 (N) or 4 × 10–11 (N)]
2

(c) (Number of ions formed over range = )

5.1 × 104 × 3.5 seen or 1.785 × 105 (ions) seen

OR

8.1 × 10–13 converted to eV seen 1✔

8.1 × 10–13 ÷ 1.785 × 105

OR

5.06 × 106 ÷ 1.785 × 105 seen 2✔

Condone POT error in first mark
Ignore units
8.1 × 10–13 ÷ (5.1 × 104 × 3.5) is worth 1st and 2nd marks
Condone POT errors in second mark
Correct answer obtains 3 marks

28 (.4) (eV) 3✔
99(.3) (eV) scores 1 mark
3

(d) (Q =) 0.85 × 10–3 × 1.2 × 10–9 = 1.02 × 10–12

OR

n = (their Q) ÷ 1.6 × 10–19 1✔

n = 6.4 × 106 (c.a.o.) 2✔

Condone one POT error for one mark
2

(e) At 3.5 cm the pd drops / the current begins

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 OR

When the source is 10 cm away no ionisation occurs in the air gap (because the alpha
particles have insufficient range to reach the air gap)

OR

When the radioactive source is close enough (approx. 5 cm) ionisation occurs ✔

OR

When beyond 3.5 cm no change in pd / current equals zero

Must be sense of abrupt change
MAX 3

When ionisation occurs / charge carriers are liberated in the air gap:
Allow more ionisation for second mark

resistance has decreased

OR

current increases (from zero)

OR

the potential difference decreases (with a maximum current) (to its minimum value) (across
the air gap)✔

From 10 cm separation until 5 cm (approx) separation nothing changes / appreciates that

pd is 4500 V / pd across gap = 4500 V until ionisation occurs ✔

Current is produced: the pd across 5 MΩ resistor is 4250 V / most pd is across the 5 MΩ

resistor / small pd across air gap ✔

Current is produced and the pd across the air gap is 250 V✔

Current is produced and the pd across the air gap is 250 V✔

3
[12]

B
2.
[1]

C
3.
[1]

C
4.
[1]

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 34 of 54

 (a) 7.3(4) × 105 ✔
5.
Numerical answer (in terms of powers of 10) must match unit
prefixes where used
Penalise rounding errors (733944.9541)

C kg–1 ✔
Do not allow use of solidus in unit:
C / kg
Condone a capital k or lower case c but not a capital g
2

(b) (1300 (eV) =) 2.08 × 10–16(J)

OR

2.1 × 10–16(J) ✔
1

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 35 of 54

(c) Correct answer of 3.59 × 107 gains 3 marks (without working)

(Number of Xe ions per second) =

OR 1(.01) × 1019 seen ✔

Ecf from part (b)

(Mass of Xe ions per second)

= 2(.2) × 10–6 ✔
Ecf from part (b)

OR

(Total number of Xe ions) =

OR 3.6 × 1026 seen ✔

Ecf from part (b)

(total energy available)

3.6 × 1026 × (ans to (b)) OR 7.5(4) × 1010 ✔

Ecf from part (b)

If both ‘methods’ attempted, restrict marks awarded to optimum

method.
3

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 36 of 54

 (d) Speed of He ions will be greater ✔

(Momentum depends on mass and speed, although) He (has higher

speed) has (considerably) less mass, therefore less momentum
(gained by He ion during the acceleration) ✔

He ion exerts less thrust (on spacecraft therefore xenon is better)

OR

Xenon ion exerts more thrust (on spacecraft therefore xenon is

better) ✔
Must address these points
Other points (e.g. He smaller so more can be stored) are neutral: no
credit awarded
Must be clear about which ion candidate is discussing
Condone use of terms such as ‘heavier’ / ‘lighter’
3
[9]

C
6.
[1]

D
7.
[1]

C
8.
[1]

9. A
[1]

10. C
[1]

C
11.
[1]

C
12.
[1]

(a) 95 protons ✓
13. 1

241 – 95 = 146 neutrons ✓

1

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 37 of 54

 (b) Beta minus decay. ✓
Marks can be given for a correct equation
1

There is no change in the number of nucleons.

The number of protons increases by 1. ✓

Ignore omitted antineutrino.
1

(c) Am → X+ α✓
1

Nucleon number = A = 241 – 4 = 237 ✓

1

Proton number = Z = 95 – 2 = 93 ✓
1

(d) Ionisation is the removal (or addition) of electrons from (to) an atom or molecule ✓
1

(e) Only a small quantity of material is needed ✓

1

The particles it emits do not travel more than a few centimetres ✓

Alternative for 2nd mark: Would be stopped before reaching the
outside of the detector
1
[10]

C
14.
[1]

(a) atoms/nuclei with same number of protons/atomic number ✔

15.
atom/nuclei seen at least once
1
but different numbers of neutrons/mass number ✔
1

(b) momentum must be conserved ✔

1
so need two photons travelling in different directions ✔
1

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 (c) rest energy = 2 × 3728 = 7456 ✔ (MeV)
must show doubling OR explain that is halved because two photons
OR implied because 1.193 × 10−9
1
rest energy = 1.193 × 10−9 ✔ (J)
1
use of energy of each photon = hf ✔
no working but correct answer scores last three marks
1
f = (1.193 × 10−9/2) /6.63 × 10−34 = 8.997 × 1023 ✔ (Hz)
RANGE: 8.90 × 1023 − 9.00 × 1023
1

(d)

Can use e+ OR β in place of e

1
Allow slight loop in bottom of neutrino but must not look like gamma
1

(e)
electromagnetic
gravitational
strong nuclear
weak nuclear ✔
1
[11]

(a) (isotopes have)

16.
same number of protons ✔
allow atomic mass / proton number

different numbers of neutrons ✔

allow mass number / nucleon number
TO where mix up atomic number and mass number
2

(b) 92 × 1.60 × 10−19 ✔

correct power
penalise minus sign on answer line

(+)1.47 × 10−17 (C) ✔

Allow 2 sf answer 1.5 × 10−17 (C)
Pay attention to powers on answer line
2

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 39 of 54

 (c) (4.8 × 10−19 ÷ 1.60 × 10−19 =) 3 ✔
or
1.47 × 10−17 − 4.8 × 10−19 (= Q) (ecf)

(92 − 3 =) 89 ✔
95 on answer line 1 mark

Integer value for n

2

(d) ✔✔✔
one mark for:
• both numbers correct on Np
• both numbers correct on β−
• correct symbol for (electron) antineutrino
3
[9]

(a)
17.

Ra Ra Ra Ra

Isotope with smallest mass (✓)

number

Isotope with most neutrons in

✓
nucleus

Isotope with nucleus that has ✓

highest specific charge

Isotope that decays by β- decay

✓
to form Ac
Isotope that decays by alpha
✓
decay to form Rn
one mark for each correct row (ignore first row as already ticked)
allow cross instead of tick and ignore any crossed out ticks
if more than one tick in a row then no mark
4

(b) (i) the atom has lost two electrons✓

1

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 (ii) (use of specific charge = charge ÷ mass)
mass = 3.2 × 10-19 ÷ 8.57 × 105 = 3.734 × 10-25 (kg)
mass number = 3.734 × 10-25 ÷ 1.66 × 10-27 ✓(= 225)

hence Ra OR 225✓✓
OR
calculate specific charge for each isotope✓

hence Ra OR 225✓✓
ignore any reference to electrons
first mark for deduction
bald correct answer scores 2 marks
don’t need radium symbol or 88
wrong answer scores zero
3
[8]

(a) (i) Q / boron / B ✓

18. 1

(ii) P and R / R and P ✓

1

(iii) R✓

6 / 14 is smallest fraction / 0.43 smallest ratio / 4.13 × 107 C / kg ✓

Cannot get second mark if not awarded first mark
2

(iv)

One mark for each correct symbol on rhs

Ignore −ve sign on e.
Can have neutrino with 0,0 on answer lines
Ignore any subscript on neutrino
3

(b) (i) repulsive below / at 0.5 fm (accept any value less or equal to 1 fm) ✓
attractive up to / at 3 fm (accept any value between 0.5 and 10 fm) ✓
short range OR becomes zero OR no effect ✓
Can get marks from labelled graph
Don't accept negligible for 3rd mark
3

(ii) interaction: electromagnetic / em ✓

(virtual) photon/ γ ✓
2
[12]

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 41 of 54

 (a) (i) protons = 20
19. neutrons = 28
electrons = 18
3

(ii) 2 × 1.6 × 10−19 = 3.2 × 10−19 (C)

-ve sign loses mark
1

(iii) specific charge = 3.2 × 10−19 / (48 × 1.67 × 10−27 + 18 × 9.11 × 10−31)

specific charge = 4.0 × 106 C kg−1

Allow 1.66
Allow CE from (ii)
First mark is for mass if miss out electron mass and do not justify
lose first mark
2
[6]

(a) (i) neutron

20.
accept symbols
symbols e.g. n
1

(ii) electron
accept symbols
1

(iii) neutron
accept symbols
1

(b) (i) antineutrino

V̅(e)
1

(ii) A=99
Z= 44
2

(iii) specific charge = 43 × 1.6 × 10−19 / 99 × 1.66 × 10−27

specific charge = 4.2 × 107 C kg−1
Correct answer no working −1
If include mass of electrons lose 2 and 3 mark
4
[10]

(a) (i) nucleon number is the number of protons and neutrons OR mass number
21. proton number is the number of protons OR atomic number
1

(ii) 14 – 6 = 8
1

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 42 of 54

 (iii) specific charge = 6 × 1.6 × 10–19 /(14 × 1.66 × 10–27 )

specific charge = 4.1 × 107 (C kg–1)

3

(b) (i) isotopes are variations of an element that have same

proton/atomic number

but different nucleon number OR different number of neutrons

2

(ii) 4.8 × 107 = 6 × 1.6 × 10–19 /(A × 1.66 × 10–27)

A = 6 × 1.6 × 10–19/(4.8 × 107 × 1.66 × 10–27)

A = 12

Number of neutrons = 12-6

3
[10]

(a)
22.
particle quark charge strangeness baryon
structure number

proton uud +1 0 1

sigma+ uus +1 -1 1

π+ ud̄ +1 0 0
7

(b) (i) examples:

proton, antiquarks
1

(ii) consists of 3 antiquarks

1

(iii) same (rest) mass (energy)

difference eg baryon number/charge

2
[11]

(a) the ratio of charge to mass of nucleus

23.
C kg−1
2

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 43 of 54

 (b) (i) number of protons and neutrons the same or number of neutrons less or
mass the same

but more protons therefore greater charge

2

(ii) answers add up to 10

number of protons = 4

number of neutrons = 10 − 4 = 6

evidence of correct calculation

eg 5q = 1.25 × ?q

?=4
4
[8]

(a) (i) 88 protons (1)

24.
140 neutrons (1)

88 electrons (1)
3

(ii) electron (1)

1

(iii) (1)(1)(1)(1)
4

(b) 228 ± 10 (1)

88 (1)
2
[10]

(a) isotopes (are varieties of the same element that) have the same
25. number of protons/atomic number/proton number (1)

but different numbers of neutrons/nucleons/atomic mass (1)

2

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 44 of 54

 (b)

number specific charge of

of number of neutrons nucleus/
protons C kg–1 (1)

= 92 × 1.6 ×10–19 (1)

/(92 × 1.67 × 10–27
first
92 143 + 143 × 1.67 × 10–27)
isotope
(1)
= 3.8 × 107 (1)

3.7 × 107 = 92 × 1.6 3.7 ×107

× 10–19
/(A × 1.67 × 10–27)
(1)
A × 1.67 × 10–27 =
92 × 1.6 × 10–19/3.7
second × 107
92 (1)
isotope A = 238 (1)
number of neutrons
= 238 – 92=146 (1)
or
148 if used u or 147
(depends on
rounding)
8
[10]

(a) (i) 94 (protons) (1)

26.
(ii) 145 (neutrons) (1)

(iii) 93 (electrons) (1)

3

(b) same number of protons

[or same atomic number] (1)

different number of neutrons/nucleons

[or different mass number] (1)
2
[5]

(a) (1)
27.
1

(b) 2e (1)

= (2 × 1.6 × 10−19) = 3.2 × 10−19 C (1)

2

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 45 of 54

 (c) (1)

= 4.1 × 107 C kg−1 (1)

2
[5]

(a) (atoms with) same number of protons/same atomic number (1)

28. different number of neutrons/mass number/ nucleons (1)
2

(b) (i) 7 protons (1)

8 neutrons (1)

(ii) (1)

= 4.5 × 107 (C kg–1) (1) (4.47 × 107 (C kg–1))

(allow C.E. for incorrect values in (b) (i))
4

(c) (i) (+) 1.6 × 10–19 (C) (1)

(ii) positive ion (1)

2
[8]

(a) (i) neutron (1)

29.
(ii) electron (1)

(iii) neutron (1)

3

(b) (i) (X =) 225 (1)

(Y =) 88 (1)

(ii) = 56(.3) (1)

(allow C.E. for value of X from (i))

3
[6]

(a) (i) (charge) = 92 × 1.60 × 10–19

30.
= 1.47 × 10–17 (C) (1)

(ii) (magnitude of ion charge) = 3(e) (1)

number of electrons (= 92 – 3) = 89 (1)
4

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 46 of 54

 (b) X: number of nucleons [or number of neutrons plus protons or
mass number] (1)
239 (1)
Y: number of protons [or atomic number] (1)
94 (1)
4
[8]

(a) 22 (nucleons) (1)

31. 11 (electrons) (1)
2

(b) charge: + =– + 1 + 0 (1)

lepton number: 0 = 0 – 1 + 1 (1)

baryon number: = + 0 + 0 (1)

3

(c) the electron and the positron are annihilated (1)

photon(s)/ ray(s) are produced (1)
specifying two ( ) photons/rays (1)
masses converted into energy (1)
max 2
[7]

(a) number of protons = number of electrons (e.g.14) (1)

32.
number of protons + number of neutrons = 28 (1)
2

(b) (i) nuclei with the same number of protons (1)

but different number of neutrons/nucleons (1)

(ii) (137 – 55) = 82 (1)

(iii) (1)

= 3.73 × 107 (C kg–1) (1)

(iv) X (= 236 – 137 – 4) = 95 (1)

6
[8]

(a) 6 (protons) and 6 (electrons) (1)

33. 8 (neutrons) (1)
2

(b) (i) (2 × 1.6 × 10–19) = 3.2 × 10–19 (C) (1)

(ii) 14 (1)

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 47 of 54

 (iii) m = 14 × 1.67 × 10–27 (kg) (1)

= 1.4 × 107 (C kg–1) (1)

(1.37 ×107 (C kg–1))

(allow C.E for values from (i) and (ii))

4
[6]

(a) 18 (protons) (1)

34. (37 – 18 gives) 19 (neutrons (1)
2

(b) (charge) = 2+ or 2– (1)

Q = 2 × 1.60 × 10–19 = 3.2 × 10–19 (C) (1)
2

(c) (i) neutron (1)

(ii) electron (1)

2

(d) (2) (for correct nuclear mass and substitution)

(= 2.36 × 10–4) = 2.36 × 10–2 (%) (1)

3
[9]

(a) 27 (protons) and 27 (electrons) (1)

35. 32 (neutrons) (1)
2

(b) (2)

(correct nucleon number (1) correct symbol and proton number (1))
2

(c) (i)

(ii) charge / unit mass = [or e / mp (1)

= 3.19 × 107(C kg–1) (1) (allow C.E. from (i))

3
[7]

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 48 of 54

Examiner reports
(a) There were a number of stages to this “show that” question. Because of its level of demand
1. the mark scheme was less stringent than usual about how “show that” calculations should
be presented. However, students should be encouraged to ensure they have fully
demonstrated how the answer is obtained. These pieces of advice should be considered:

• any equations used should be written with subjects seen at each stage of the
calculation;
• mid-calculation rounding should be avoided;
• the answer should be quoted to more significant figures than the value they have
been asked to find.

(b) The main error seen, when using F = ma and equations of motion, was not taking into
account speed changing when calculating the time to stop. Students who identified the
questions as being set up for a “work done = change in kinetic energy” generally obtained
all marks (27.3%).

(c) Good students were able successfully to complete this calculation (23.1%) whereas lower
performing students appeared to have little appreciation of the problem and were able to
make only limited progress, by perhaps finding the number of ions or converting the energy
into electron volts.

(d) Students failed to gain marks here for a number of the following common reasons: dividing
the current by the time, using 2 × 1.6 × 10–19 for each charge carrier rather than 1.6 ×
10–19, and misremembering the prefix nano- as 10–12.

(e) This question proved to be inaccessible to all but the very best students. Only 10.7% of
students managed to score anything on this item. The number of factors they had to
consider proved too challenging for most. Where students realised that ionisation occurred
when the alpha source was close enough, they often got confused about the effect this had
on the current in the circuit and the resistance and potential difference across the air gap.
Many students thought that an increase in current could only occur when the potential
difference across the air gap increased.

The majority of students (63.3%) were able to identify the correct answer. The most common
2. incorrect answer was A; here students correctly identified the isotope but had not given sufficient
thought to P’s nucleon number.

Here, again, most students (70.1%) selected the correct response. The most common wrong
3. answer was D.

75.2% correct
4.
(a) A significant number of students had difficulty with this question. Common wrong answers
5. included:
• Mass divided by charge
• The charge = 53 × 1.6 × 10 -19 arriving at an answer = 3.9 × 107
Other students could not recall the units for specific charge; the coulomb and the joule
were common wrong answers. Students who did not express the unit using index notation
did not receive the mark.

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 49 of 54

 (b) Many students could not convert 1300 eV into its equivalent 2.1 × 10-16 J.
A common error seen was 1300 ÷ 1.6 × 10-19 = 8.125 × 1021

(c) A wide range in the quality of response seen here. Those who obtained 3 marks typically
presented their working in a way that demonstrated a good understanding of the calculation
required. Students who made some progress typically by determining the number of xenon
ions in 79 kg obtained some credit. There was a significant number of non-attempts seen.

(d) Some students thought that the helium ion had more charge than the xenon ion because
helium had a higher specific charge. On this basis, they stated that the helium ion had a
greater speed. Getting the correct relationship between specific charge and mass was a
sign of quality. Others thought that helium’s greater specific charge meant it had a greater
mass than xenon. Despite this error, students were still awarded the higher speed mark for
helium. Other students confused specific charge with activation energy and gave answers
in terms of combustion rates.
Students often confused the terms speed and acceleration. A common error was to state
that the acceleration of the helium ion was greater, without linking this to a greater speed.
Better students made reasoned arguments regarding the relationship between energy,
speed and momentum. Frequently, they stopped short of linking this to the thrust exerted
on the space craft. In these cases, the students would limit their answer to momentum
change of the propellant rather than relating this to the effect on the spacecraft.

The most popular incorrect response was distractor B. Students need to ensure that they have
6. taken account of the information and avoid pitfalls of this type. Terms such as number of
neutrons and nucleon number should be treated with caution; it is important that students can
distinguish between these terms in questions such as this.

In this question students were required to extract information from an introductory passage. Part
15. (a) was a straightforward starter but a significant proportion of answers were spoilt by a lack of
precision. Students were required to mention atoms or nuclei in their responses and a significant
proportion did not do this. Part (b) required an explanation as to why two photons were produced.
A number of students seemed to think this was necessary due to energy conservation. Of those
who realised this was due to momentum conservation, a significant proportion then failed to
appreciate the importance of the photons travelling in different directions. Part (c) was an
extended calculation and students were told to calculate the maximum frequency of the photons
produced in the annihilation of the two nuclei. Maximum was necessary to indicate that the whole
rest energy of the nuclei should be used and excluded the possibility of calculating the frequency
of photons produced due to annihilation of individual nucleons within the helium and anti-helium
nuclei. It is true that higher frequency photons would be produced if the nuclei had significant
kinetic energy but students were told to use information from the passage in which there was no
mention of kinetic energy. For full marks students needed to explain how they dealt with two
nuclei annihilating and two photons being produced. Parts (d) and (e) were well answered and
the only common error was a failure to identify the positron correctly in the equation.

This question was well done by the vast majority of students.

16.
On the whole, the calculations were done correctly. Mistakes seen in part (b) included students
presenting the specific charge as their answer due to rote application of a method without due
regard to the question. Part (c)’s errors were mostly due to incomplete calculations where
students determined the number of electronic charges but failed to take this away from the
proton number. Surprisingly almost 20% of students were unable to complete the decay equation
in part (d).

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 50 of 54

 Completing the table in (a) proved to be a straightforward task for the majority of students and full
17. marks were commonly seen. (b) proved more challenging. In the first part many students
appreciated what is meant by ionization but failed to relate it directly to the situation, giving
generic answers instead of stating that two electrons had left the atom.

Calculations involving specific charge have often proved discriminating in previous exams and
this was certainly the case this time. Only the more able students were able to convincingly
deduce the correct isotope.

Performance in this question was quite mixed.

18.
As might be expected the first two parts of (a) on isotopes were answered well. This was not the
case with part (a) (iii) however, and less than 20% of candidates were able to score both marks.
A significant proportion did identify correctly the nucleus with the smallest specific charge but
were not they able to explain their choice convincingly. More able candidates appreciated that
the ratio of protons to nucleons was the important factor and this needed to be considered.
Completing the equation in part (a)(iv) was done much better and a pleasing proportion of
candidates obtained full marks for this.

Descriptions of the strong nuclear force required in part (b) tended to be little vague and less able
candidates tended to mix up the strong nuclear force with the electromagnetic interaction
between charges. The majority of candidates appreciated that the strong nuclear force was
repulsive and then attractive but a significant proportion of candidates failed to obtain the third
mark because they did not clearly state that the strong nuclear force was short range and beyond
this range it had no effect. Part (b) (ii) caused more problems than expected and less than 50%
of candidates scored both marks. In a significant proportion of scripts the weak interaction was
referred to instead of the electromagnetic interaction. It was also quite common to see
electrostatic in place of electromagnetic.

This question required a knowledge of atomic structure and specific charge and part (i) was
19. unsurprisingly, extremely well answered.

Part (ii) caused more problems with a significant proportion of candidates either giving a charge
equivalent to 20e or 18e. The calculation of specific charge has often proved to be quite
discriminating with the specific charge of an ion causing candidates the most problems. On this
occasion candidates performed slightly better partly due to them having been asked for the
charge in part (ii) and not being penalised when carrying their answer into part (iii).

A significant proportion of candidates completely ignored the mass of the electrons and although
their mass does not significantly alter the specific charge they were required to include it or to
justify it being disregarded.

This question was concerned with atomic structure and radioactive decay. The majority of
20. candidates did not really have any problems with part (a) which required them to identify the
constituents of the atom and state which had the largest specific charge.

The performance in part (b) was not quite as strong although only 25% of candidates had real
issues with the equation for beta decay. The weakest answers were seen in (b) (iii) which
required a specific charge calculation. Questions on this topic tend to be quite discriminating and
this was certainly the case this time. Common mistakes were the use of incorrect masses for the
technetium nucleus and dividing the mass by the charge rather than the charge by the mass. The
unit for specific charge seemed to be well known although a significant minority gave the
incorrect answer: coulomb.

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 51 of 54

 This proved to be one of the most accessible questions on the paper with many students
21. securing full marks. The majority of explanations of nucleon number, proton number and isotope
were clear although a minority did confuse number of neutrons with number of protons in there
definition of isotope. The calculations and deductions pertaining to the nucleus and one of its
isotopes were in the main well set out and in many cases this helped generate correct answers.
A minority, as has been the case in previous sessions, did include the mass of electrons in the
specific charge calculation even though the question clearly refers to a nucleus.

Previous papers have indicated that students have a good understanding of the quark structure
22. of hadrons and this was certainly the case in this examination. The table in part (a) was
completed well and full marks were frequent. The remainder of the question was also answered
well and students now seem well aware that a similarity between particles and their
corresponding antiparticle is rest mass.

Part (a) was answered well and the evidence suggests that specific charge is a topic that is now
23. much better understood. It has often been found in previous papers that explanations which go
beyond standard definitions usually produce considerable discrimination.

This was certainly the case in part (b) (i) and it was quite common for less able students to write
confused and contradictory answers. A common mistake was to assume that X and Y were
isotopes. Some students also thought that the question was about ions rather than nuclei.

Part (b) (ii) produced better responses although the route to a candidate’s final answer was
sometimes difficult to follow. A significant number of students gave answers with no working
which is bad practice; especially for a question allocated four marks.

This question proved accessible to candidates of all abilities and consequently was not
24. particularly discriminating. Some candidates did struggle to identify the particle with the highest
specific charge, with a significant minority opting for the proton. The equation for β was answered
well, although it was not uncommon to see an equation representing changes in quark flavours
rather than showing what happened to the nucleus as a whole. The antineutrino was the most
common omission in the equations given.

Part (b) was answered well with the majority of candidates opting for a mass number between
220 and 230.

Part (a) was answered well and the majority of candidates seemed to have a clear idea of the
25. meaning of the term isotope.

Part (b) did require some careful analysis by candidates and this was particularly true in parts (iii)
and (iv). The unit for specific charge is generally well known and the majority of candidates were
able to access this mark. The number of protons surprisingly caught out a significant minority of
candidates and this is in contrast to the many correct responses to part (a). The last two parts of
this question were quite discriminating and the more successful candidates did well because they
structured their answer in a logical way. Common errors were to not include the masses of both
nucleons in the calculation and to try and include the mass of electrons when the question clearly
referred to the specific charge of a nucleus.

Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College Page 52 of 54

 Over 50% of the candidates lost one or more marks on this easy opening question. The most
26. common error was giving the wrong number of electrons, by mistakenly taking the charged ion
as a neutral atom. Also, a worrying number of candidates did not answer part (b) correctly
because they were confused between neutrons and protons. Many candidates did not refer to
the number of protons when discussing isotopes but simply stated that isotopes were the same
atom with different numbers of neutrons.

Answers to this question generated many errors. Less than 50% of the candidates gained full
27. marks for what was really an easy starter question. In part (b), the incorrect answer of +4e
appeared very frequently and likewise, in part (c), the incorrect inclusion of the electron mass
was a very common occurrence. Additionally, calculation errors, failure to give the correct units
and significant figure errors all contributed to an overall poor performance.

Less able candidates failed on part (a) primarily because of statements such as ‘there are less
28. neutrons in an isotope’, rather than stating that the number is different.

In part (b) (i), some candidates included electrons contained in the nucleus. As in previous
examinations, the calculation of charge-to-mass ratio in part (b) (ii) often had just a ratio of 7/15
without the correct multiplying factors. Finally, many candidates did not realise that the ion had an
imbalance of charge corresponding to the magnitude of the electronic charge. What was
intended as a relatively easy opening question caused a majority of candidates to lose at least
one mark.

Part (a) was a very straightforward introduction to the paper and only the weakest candidates
29. gave wrong answers. A few candidates made errors in part (b) (i) because of confusion between
the nucleon number and proton number in an α particle. An error in basic physics came to light
frequently in part (b) (ii), namely that a number of candidates attempted to add electron masses
to either the nucleus or the α particle.

Although a relatively easy starter question it did achieve a spread of marks. Only the weakest
30. candidates failed to score in part (a) (i) but almost 50% ended the calculation when they showed
that the magnitude of the charge on the ion corresponded to 3 electrons. The number of
electrons in the ion was not determined. In part (b) about 20% of the candidates failed to state
that X and Y respectively represented the number of nucleons and protons and almost 50%
failed to get the correct numerical values.

A minority of candidates failed to score the two marks in part (a) because they interpreted
31. nucleons as neutrons. Part (b) presented more of a challenge for the more able candidate
because the fractional charge and the fractional baryon number for quarks were concepts that
were not universally understood. Many candidates took this part of the question to mean, ‘Are the
quantities conserved or not?’ The other common error was failing to assign correct lepton
numbers. Because of these difficulties the question turned out to be a good discriminator
between candidates.

In part (c) the majority of candidates were aware that the positron and the electron suffered
annihilation but only the better candidates referred to the production of two photons. A noticeable
number of the less able candidates confused annihilation with pair production.

This question yielded a good spread of marks, but each section presented some difficulties,
32. especially for weak candidates. In general, part (a) yielded good answers. In part (b) the main
difficulties encountered were converting the given information in part (iii) into correct units and in
part (iv) many candidates failed to register that four neutrons were released in the splitting
process.

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 Only the weakest candidate found difficulty with parts (a) and (b)(ii), but many more candidates
33.
failed to calculate the charge of the ion and an answer of 4 × 1.6 × 10–19 C was extremely
common. It was surprising to see how few candidates answered (b)(iii) correctly; one source of
trouble being that many incorrect constants, other than the correct mass of a nucleon, were
introduced into the calculation.

Part (a) usually gave a good start to the majority of candidates. In part (b) there was an even split
34. between candidates who gave the answer as +2 and those who gave the correct answer in
coulombs. The final answer was also sometimes given a negative value. The results in part (c)
were, in general, correct.

In part (d) only the better candidates completed the calculation. The usual errors involved using
the wrong number of electrons or nucleons or not using consistent mass units. In recent
examinations it has been quite common for candidates to make errors when calculating
percentages but in this question this error was not often seen.

Although parts (a) and (b) followed the usual pattern of the first question on the paper, the
35. addition of part (c) caused difficulties and full marks were few and far between. In part (a) a
significant minority of candidates gave wrong answers and in part (b) almost all candidates failed
to change the chemical symbol to Co, preferring to stay with Ni.

In part (c)(i) at least half the candidates gave the correct symbol for tritium but the remainder
showed a variety of mistakes in the values of the superscripts and subscripts, ranging from to
. In part (c)(ii) only the top few percent of able candidates made a reasonable attempt at the
calculation.

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