Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Radioactivity and Particles
123 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
41–49 of 49 · Easy
Question 41
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Describe what happens during nuclear fusion in stars.
Question 42
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Nuclear reactions release energy in different ways. Uranium-235 is used as a fuel in some nuclear power stations, while nuclear fusion occurs in stars.
(a)[2 marks]Explain what happens when a nucleus of uranium-235 absorbs a slow-moving neutron.
(b)[2 marks]State what nuclear fusion involves and where it naturally occurs.
Question 43
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The diagram shows parts of a nuclear fission reactor and the process that occurs inside it. Nuclear fusion is also being researched as a future source of energy.
A simplified nuclear reactor diagram (fuel rods, moderator, control rods, shielding) (a)[2 marks]Describe the purpose of the moderator in the reactor.
(b)[2 marks]State one reason why nuclear fusion is difficult to achieve in a reactor on Earth.
Question 44
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Both fission and fusion can release a large amount of energy.
(a)[2 marks]State two similarities between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion as sources of energy.
(b)[2 marks]Describe one difference between these two processes.
Question 45
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which unit is used to measure the activity of a radioactive source?
- A.joule (J)
- B.becquerel (Bq)
- C.watt (W)
- D.newton (N)
Question 46
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A student measures the count rate from a radioactive source using a Geiger-Müller tube. The background count is 20 counts per minute. With the source in place, the count is 65 counts per minute.
(a)[1 mark]Calculate the count rate due to the source alone.
(b)[1 mark]Which unit should be used to record the activity?
(c)[1 mark]Suggest one way to reduce your own exposure to this radiation during the experiment.
Question 47
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State the unit used for measuring the activity of a radioactive source. Which SI prefix would you use for an activity of 2,700,000 Bq?
Question 48
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A radioactive isotope is used in a tracing experiment in a factory. Its measured activity is 5000 Bq at 10:00 am.
(a)[1 mark]State the unit of activity for a radioactive source, and what it measures.
(b)[1 mark]If the activity falls to 1250 Bq by 1:00 pm, how many half-lives have passed?
(c)[1 mark]If the half-life of the isotope is 1 hour, what will its activity be at 4:00 pm?
(d)[1 mark]Explain why radioactive tracers used in industry should have short half-lives.
Question 49
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A sample of a radioactive material gives off radiation. A student is asked to describe this sample and measure its activity. The student is told to report results using standard units.
(a)[1 mark]State the unit used to measure the activity of a radioactive sample.
(b)[1 mark]Explain in one clear sentence what is meant by the activity of a radioactive sample.
(c)[1 mark]Name one piece of equipment that can be used to detect ionising radiation from this sample.
(d)[1 mark]Describe what happens to the activity of the sample over time.