Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Radioactivity and Particles
123 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
31–40 of 123
Question 31
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Describe two sources of natural background radiation that people are likely to experience.
Question 32
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 33
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 34
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 35
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State what the atomic number (Z) of an atom tells you about its nucleus.
Question 36
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 37
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 38
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.
Question 39
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 40
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →A nucleus of chlorine-37 has an atomic number 17. How many neutrons does it have?