1
1 The nucleus of an isotope of plutonium has 94 protons and 147 neutrons. The chemical symbol
for plutonium is Pu.
Write the nuclide notation that describes this nucleus.
[2]
[Total: 2]
2 Only one isotope of gold occurs naturally on Earth.
State what this indicates about the nuclear structure of all the naturally occurring atoms of gold on
Earth.
..................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
3 In a nuclear fusion reactor, a nucleus of hydrogen-2 fuses with a nucleus of hydrogen-3 at an
extremely high temperature. This fusion reaction produces an isotope of element X and releases
a neutron.
Explain why an extremely high temperature is needed when forcing these two nuclei together.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [3]
[Total: 3]
2
4 The nuclide notation for a nucleus of gold-198 is .
State the numbers of electrons, neutrons and protons in a neutral atom of gold-198.
number of electrons = .............................
number of neutrons = .............................
number of protons = ...............................
[3]
[Total: 3]
5 Carbon-12 is a stable isotope of carbon. Its nuclide notation is
12 C
6
Carbon-14 is an unstable isotope of carbon. Its nuclide notation is
14 C
6
Determine the numbers of electrons, protons and neutrons in an atom of carbon-12 and the
numbersof electrons, protons and neutrons in an atom of carbon-14.
Complete Table.
carbon-12 carbon-14
number of electrons
number of protons
number of neutrons
[3]
[Total: 3]
6 State two differences between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
1 ...............................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
2 ...............................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
3
[Total: 2]
7 The diagram represents a neutral atom of an isotope of element X.
State one similarity between this atom and a neutral atom of a different isotope of element X.
..................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
4
8 The diagram represents a neutral atom of an isotope of element X.
The isotope of element X is radioactive. It decays to form an isotope of element Y by emitting a
β-particle.
Using the diagram, deduce the nuclide notation for the isotope of Y produced by this decay.
[3]
[Total: 3]
5
9 The diagram shows a beam of α-particles moving towards a thin sheet of gold in a vacuum.
Detectors in the region surrounding the thin gold sheet detect the α-particles and determine the
number of particles that travel in various directions.
State and explain what can be deduced from the following observation.
The majority of the α-particles pass through the gold sheet undeflected and are detected on the
far side.
deduction .................................................................................................................................
explanation................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
6
10 The diagram shows a beam of α-particles moving towards a thin sheet of gold in a vacuum.
Detectors in the region surrounding the thin gold sheet detect the α-particles and determine the
number of particles that travel in various directions.
State and explain what can be deduced from the following observation.
A very small number of α-particles are deflected through very large angles or return back the way
they came.
deduction .................................................................................................................................
explanation ...............................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
11 Astatine-210 is a radioactive material. The nucleus of astatine can be represented by the symbol
shown.
Complete the table to describe the nucleus of astatine-210.
type of particle number of particles charge on particle
neutron
positive
[4]
[Total: 4]
7
12 One isotope of iridium-194 is represented by
This isotope decays by β-emission to a stable isotope of platinum (Pt).
Complete the nuclide equation for this decay.
[3]
[Total: 3]
13 A nuclear power station uses uranium to generate thermal energy.
The fuel for the power station is an isotope of uranium.
Explain the meaning of the term isotope.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
14 This notation represents the nucleus of a neutral atom of carbon-14.
(a) State the number of:
(i) protons in the nucleus of an atom of carbon-14
................................................................................................................................ [1]
(ii) electrons orbiting the nucleus of an atom of carbon-14
................................................................................................................................ [1]
8
(iii) neutrons in the nucleus of an atom of carbon-14.
................................................................................................................................ [1]
(b) Carbon-14 is an isotope of carbon. Carbon-12 is another isotope of carbon.
Compare the nucleus of carbon-14 with the nucleus of carbon-12. State the similarities and
differences.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 6]
15 S is a radioactive source emitting , and -radiations. Y is a sheet of aluminium 2 cm thick placed
10 cm from S.
Y
2 cm
S G
10 cm
Which radiations can be detected at G?
A only B and C only D and
[1]
[Total: 1]
9
16 The carbon in the body of all animals contains some radioactive carbon. At the time when any
animal dies, each gram of carbon in its body emits about 16 -particles per minute.
Some animal remains are discovered. It is found that 4 -particles are emitted per minute for
each gram of carbon in the remains.
The half-life of radioactive carbon is 6000 years.
How old are the remains of the animal?
A 1500 years B 3000 years C 6000 years D 12 000 years
[1]
[Total: 1]
17 Paper coming out of a photocopier sometimes carries a negative charge which makes it stick to
things.
A radioactive source is used to reduce this charge, as shown in the diagram.
paper in
photocopier
negatively charged
paper out
radioactive source
Which type of source is most effective in reducing the negative charge?
A -particle
B -particle
C -ray
D neutron
[1]
[Total: 1]
10
18 α (alpha)-particles, β (beta)-particles and γ (gamma)-rays have different characteristics.
Complete the table by indicating with a tick (✓) the correct type of radiation for each characteristic.
The first row is done for you.
type of radiation
characteristic
α (alpha)-particles β (beta)-particles γ (gamma)-rays
electromagnetic wave ✓
least ionising
least penetrating
a helium nucleus
negatively charged
[3]
[Total: 3]
11
19 Only one isotope of gold occurs naturally on Earth. There are several artificially produced isotopes
of gold.
Gold-198 is an artificial isotope which is used in medicine and in scientific research.
A sample of gold-198 is placed near to a radiation detector in a research laboratory. The count rate
is recorded at the same time every day for 32 days.
The results are used to plot the graph.
400
count rate
counts / min
300
200
100
0
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
time / days
(a) Using the graph, determine the background count rate in the research laboratory.
count rate = ...................................................... [1]
(b) Using the graph, determine the half-life of gold-198.
half-life = ...................................................... [4]
[Total: 5]
12
20 An isotope of americium has 95 protons and 146 neutrons in its nucleus.
The graph shows how the count rate of a sample of americium changes with time.
18 000
16 000
count rate
counts / min
14 000
12 000
10 000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300
time / years
Determine the half-life of the americium in the sample. Use information from the graph.
half-life = .............................................. years [2]
[Total: 2]
13
21 A teacher determines the types of emission from a radioactive source. He uses different materials
to absorb the emissions. The diagram shows the equipment.
2 cm
radioactive source
000000
detector counter
material
being tested
(not to scale)
The teacher places a material between the radioactive source and the detector. The counter shows
the count rate for the emission that reaches the detector. The teacher records the count rate. He
repeats the experiment for different materials.
The table shows the results.
material being tested
air (no object in gap) 480
thin sheet of paper 481
2 mm sheet of aluminium 479
10 mm block of lead 120
(a) State whether the source emits α (alpha)-particles.
Use information from the table to give a reason for your answer.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [2]
14
(b) State whether the source emits γ (gamma)-rays.
Use information from the table to give a reason for your answer.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 4]
22 The diagram shows the paths of three α-particles moving towards a thin gold foil. Four gold nuclei
are shown.
gold nuclei
paths of
a-particles
(not to scale)
On the diagram, complete the paths of the three α-particles. [3]
[Total: 3]
15
23 The diagram shows a simple diagram of a smoke detector. The smoke detector contains a small
sample of americium-241. This isotope emits alpha particles and ionises the air between the metal
plates in the detector.
detector circuit
radioactive
source
metal plates
air flow
Suggest and explain two reasons why smoke detectors use an isotope that emits α-particles rather
than an isotope that emits γ-radiation.
1. ..............................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
2. ..............................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
16
24 The diagram below is a simple diagram of a smoke detector. The smoke detector contains a small
sample of americium-241.
Americium-241 decays by an α-emission to an isotope of neptunium (Np).
This isotope ionises the air between the metal plates in the detector.
detector circuit
radioactive
source
metal plates
air flow
Describe how the americium-241 ionises air.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [3]
[Total: 3]
17
25 The graph shows the decay curve for a sample of carbon-14.
Use the graph to determine the half-life of carbon-14.
half-life = ............................................... years [2]
[Total: 2]
26 The count rate of a radioactive sample is 2400 counts per minute at 10 am on one day. The half-life
of the sample is two days.
Predict the count rate at 10 am four days later.
count rate = .............................................. counts per minute [3]
[Total: 3]
18
27 A teacher measures the count rate of a radioactive isotope.
A graph of her results is shown.
Determine the half-life of the radioactive isotope. Use information from the graph.
Show on the graph how you obtained your value.
half-life = .............................................. minutes [3]
[Total: 3]
28 A radioactive source is placed near to a detector, as shown in the diagram.
The meter shows a reading of 239 counts per second.
A sheet of paper is placed between the detector and the radioactive source. The meter shows a
reading of 240 counts per second.
The sheet of paper is removed and a thin sheet of aluminium is placed between the detector and
the radioactive source. The meter shows a reading of 3 counts per second.
(a) Deduce the type of radiation emitted by the radioactive source.
........................................................................................................................................... [1]
19
(b) The radioactive source is removed. The meter shows a reading of 3 counts per second.
State why the meter does not show a reading of zero counts per second.
........................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 2]
