Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Chapter
Radioactivity
46 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
21–30 of 46
Question 21
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which statement best explains why neutrons are important for the stability of a nucleus?
- A.They provide extra positive charge to hold protons together.
- B.They help balance the repulsive force between protons in the nucleus.
- C.They make the atom lighter.
- D.They change the chemical properties of the element.
Question 22
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →A nucleus of chlorine-37 has an atomic number 17. How many neutrons does it have?
Question 23
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Some isotopes of carbon Isotope Number of protons Number of neutrons Carbon-12 6 6 Carbon-13 6 7 Carbon-14 6 8 Compare the stability of carbon-12 and carbon-14 and give a reason for your answer based on their neutron numbers.
Question 24
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]How does the number of neutrons affect whether an isotope is stable or unstable?
(b)[1 mark]What can happen if an atom has too few neutrons?
Question 25
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Properties of two isotopes of neon Isotope Number of protons Number of neutrons Neon-20 10 10 Neon-22 10 12 Based on the data in the table, explain how Neon-20 and Neon-22 differ in terms of their nuclear stability.
Question 26
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain why adding too many neutrons or too few neutrons to a nucleus can make it unstable.
Question 27
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which statement best describes a stable isotope?
- A.It has too many neutrons for its number of protons.
- B.It has no neutrons in its nucleus.
- C.It has a balanced number of protons and neutrons.
- D.It has more electrons than protons.
Question 28
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain how the presence of neutrons in the nucleus prevents the protons from repelling and breaking apart the nucleus.
Question 29
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student claims that all isotopes of hydrogen are equally stable. Use your knowledge of isotopes and nuclear forces to explain why this statement is not correct.
Question 30
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain why heavy elements like uranium have more neutrons than protons in their most stable isotope.