Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Radioactivity and Particles
123 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
11–20 of 49 · Easy
Question 11
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which of the following types of radiation is the most penetrating?
- A.Alpha (α)
- B.Beta (β)
- C.Gamma (γ)
- D.Neutron
Question 12
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]Name the particle with no charge found in the nucleus of an atom.
(b)[1 mark]State the relative mass of this particle (compared to a proton).
Question 13
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Describe one safety precaution you should take when handling radioactive sources in a school laboratory.
Question 14
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which instrument is commonly used to detect ionising radiation in the laboratory?
- A.Thermometer
- B.Geiger-Müller tube
- C.Ammeter
- D.Barometer
Question 15
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]What is the unit used to measure the activity of a radioactive source?
(b)[1 mark]Define this unit.
Question 16
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]In the radioactive decay process, which subatomic particle is emitted during beta decay?
(b)[1 mark]State the change in atomic number of the nucleus after beta decay.
Question 17
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State what the atomic number (Z) of an atom tells you about its nucleus.
Question 18
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]Define what an isotope is.
(b)[1 mark]The most common isotope of oxygen is written as . How many neutrons does it have in its nucleus?
(c)[1 mark]Explain, in terms of neutrons and protons, how isotopes of the same element are similar and how they differ.
Question 19
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Describe what happens to the stability of a nucleus if the number of neutrons is much higher than the number of protons.
Question 20
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]State the total number of nucleons in the nucleus of carbon-13.
(b)[1 mark]Identify the subatomic particles counted as nucleons.