Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Radioactivity and Particles
123 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
61–70 of 123
Question 61
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A radioactive isotope of nitrogen, , decays by beta minus emission. A scientist is studying nuclear stability and writes an equation for this decay.
(a)[2 marks]Write the balanced nuclear equation for the beta minus decay of .
(b)[2 marks]State, with reasons, how the numbers of protons and neutrons change in the nucleus as a result of this decay.
(c)[1 mark]Explain why some isotopes with the same number of protons as are stable, while others are unstable.
Question 62
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student investigates the decay of a radioactive isotope by measuring its activity (in Bq). The data below shows the measured activity at 10-minute intervals, after correcting for background radiation.
Radioactive decay data Time (min) Activity (Bq) 0 480 10 240 20 120 30 60 (a)[1 mark]Describe what is meant by the half-life of a radioactive isotope.
(b)[2 marks]Use the table to determine the half-life of this isotope. Show your working.
(c)[2 marks]Explain why the measured activity falls as time passes.
Question 63
5 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →A sample contains the isotope chlorine-36, which decays by beta minus emission. After 72,000 years, a scientist finds that only 25% of the original chlorine-36 remains.
(a)[2 marks]Write a balanced nuclear equation for the beta minus decay of chlorine-36. State the names and atomic numbers of the products formed.
(b)[3 marks]Calculate the half-life of chlorine-36. Give your answer to the nearest thousand years.
Question 64
5 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →Two isotopes of cobalt are compared in an experiment. Both have atomic number 27, but cobalt-59 is stable, while cobalt-60 is unstable and undergoes beta minus decay.
(a)[2 marks]Explain how the numbers of neutrons affect the stability of cobalt-59 and cobalt-60.
(b)[3 marks]Cobalt-60 has a half-life of 5.3 years. What percentage of a sample will remain after 15.9 years? Show your working.
Question 65
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State what is meant by the term 'fission' as used in nuclear physics.
Question 66
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Read the statements about nuclear reactions. For each one, write FISSION or FUSION.
(a)[1 mark]Two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.
(b)[1 mark]A heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei.
Question 67
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Name the main fuel used in nuclear reactors for fission.
Question 68
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which statement best describes what happens to the mass during a nuclear fission reaction?
- A.The mass of the products is equal to the mass of the original nucleus.
- B.The mass of the products is greater than the mass of the original nucleus.
- C.The mass of the products is less than the mass of the original nucleus.
- D.There is no change in mass.
Question 69
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →This question is about the products of nuclear fission.
(a)[2 marks]In the fission of uranium-235, two types of particles are produced in addition to two lighter nuclei. Name both types.
(b)[1 mark]Are the two lighter nuclei produced in fission usually stable or radioactive?
Question 70
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Explain briefly why a chain reaction can occur in a sample of uranium-235.