Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Radioactivity and Particles
123 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
11–20 of 59 · Normal
Question 11
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student investigates the penetration powers of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation using suitable equipment.
(a)[1 mark]Name the device used to detect ionising radiation in such an experiment.
(b)The student places different materials between the source and the detector. Describe what would be observed for:
(i)[1 mark](i) Alpha radiation with a sheet of paper
(ii)[1 mark](ii) Beta radiation with 5 mm of aluminium
(iii)[1 mark](iii) Gamma radiation with 2 cm of lead
Question 12
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A radioactive isotope of beryllium, , decays by emitting a beta particle.
(a)[2 marks]Write the nuclear equation for this decay, showing the daughter nucleus and all radiation emitted.
(b)[1 mark]Describe what happens to the atomic and mass numbers of beryllium in this process.
Question 13
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Describe two sources of natural background radiation that people are likely to experience.
Question 14
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A radioactive sample has an initial activity of . After 16 hours, its activity is .
Calculate the half-life of this isotope.
Question 15
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain what is meant by the half-life of a radioactive isotope, and why the activity of a radioactive source cannot fall to zero instantly.
Question 16
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Give one use of radioactivity in medicine and explain how its properties make it suitable for this use.
Question 17
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 18
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 19
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 20
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.