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 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]
2
12
3 A sample contains 8.0 × 10 atoms of a radioactive isotope of plutonium.
The half-life of this isotope of plutonium is 14 years.
Calculate the number of atoms of this isotope of plutonium remaining in the sample after 28 years.
number of atoms of plutonium remaining = ................................................................ [3]
[Total: 3]
4 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
5 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]
4
6 Only one isotope of gold occurs naturally on Earth.
There are several artificially produced isotopes of gold.
Gold-198 (198
79 Au) is an artificial isotope which is used in medicine and in scientific research.
Gold-198 decays by β (beta)-emission to a stable isotope of mercury.
Determine the number of protons and the number of neutrons in a nucleus of this isotope of mercury.
number of protons = ...............................................
number of neutrons = ............................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
5
7 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]
6
(b) State whether the source emits γ (gamma)-rays.
Use information from the table to give a reason for your answer.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 4]
8 State the names of three types of radioactive emission.
1. ..............................................................................................................................................
2. ..............................................................................................................................................
3. .............................................................................................................................................. [3]
[Total: 3]
9 In nuclide notation, represents one nuclide of chlorine.
For one neutral atom of , state:
1. the nucleon number .............................................................................................................
2. the proton number ................................................................................................................
3. the number of neutrons. ....................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 3]
10 A teacher is investigating radioactivity.
The teacher measures the background radiation in the laboratory.
State one source of background radiation.
.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
11 A radioactive isotope emits γ-radiation.
Describe one method of safely storing the radioactive isotope.
..................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
7
[Total: 1]
12 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]
13 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]
8
14 The diagram represents the particles in a neutral lithium atom.
Use the information in the diagram of the neutral lithium atom to answer (a), (b) and (c).
(a) Determine the number of electrons. ...................................................... [1]
(b) Determine the value of the nucleon number. ........................................ [1]
(c) Determine the number of neutrons. ...................................................... [1]
[Total: 3]
15 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]
9
(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]
16 A sample containing atoms of the radioactive isotope polonium-208 is removed from a lead container
and brought close to a radiation detector. The average count rate increases from a background
rate of 40 counts / minute to 890 counts / minute.
When two sheets of paper are inserted between the sample and the detector, the average count
rate returns to 40 counts / minute.
Polonium-208 is represented by the symbol . It decays to an isotope of lead (Pb).
Write down the nuclide equation for the decay of polonium-208.
[1]
[Total: 1]
17 A sample of rock includes some uranium-239.
The half-life of uranium-239 is 23 minutes.
Determine the fraction of the uranium-239 that remains after 46 minutes.
fraction remaining = .............................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
10
18 Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen. It can be represented by .
The graph shows how the activity of a sample of tritium varies with time.
Use the graph to calculate the half-life of tritium. Show clearly how you used the graph.
half-life = .............................................. years [3]
[Total: 3]
11
19 Draw a line from each part of the atom to its description.
part of the atom description
is an electromagnetic wave
nucleus
is the centre of the atom
electron
has no electric charge
neutron
orbits the centre of an atom
[3]
[Total: 3]
20 Scientists use carbon-14 to estimate the age of wood that is very old.
8
A very old sample of wood contains 1.0 × 10 carbon-14 atoms.
8
When the sample was new, it contained 8.0 × 10 carbon-14 atoms.
The half-life of carbon-14 is 5700 years.
Estimate the age of the sample of wood.
age of wood = .............................................. years [3]
[Total: 3]
21 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]
12
(ii) electrons orbiting the nucleus of an atom of carbon-14
................................................................................................................................ [1]
(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]
22 Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen. It can be represented by .
Explain the meaning of the term isotope.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
13
23 Americium is a radioactive isotope.
Ionisation smoke detectors contain americium and two small electrodes with a small voltage between
them. The air between the electrodes is ionised by α-particles so that there is a small electric current
between the electrodes.
Suggest and explain the effect of smoke on the current between the electrodes in the smoke
detector.
suggestion: ...............................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
explanation: ..............................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
24 Americium (Am) is a radioactive isotope. A nucleus of americium contains 95 protons and 146
neutrons. It decays by emitting an α-particle to form a nucleus of an isotope of neptunium (Np).
Write down the nuclide equation for the decay of americium to neptunium.
[4]
[Total: 4]
25 Americium (Am) is a radioactive isotope.
Ionisation smoke detectors contain americium and two small electrodes with a small voltage between
them. The air between the electrodes is ionised by α-particles so that there is a small electric current
between the electrodes.
Suggest two reasons for using an α-particle emitter in a smoke detector.
Reason 1 ..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
Reason 2 ..................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
14
26 A radon-222 nucleus contains 86 protons and 136 neutrons. It decays by emitting an α-particle and
becomes a nucleus of an isotope of polonium. The symbol for radon is Rn and the symbol for
polonium is Po.
Write down the nuclide equation for this decay.
[3]
[Total: 3]
27 The graph shows the decay curve for a radioactive substance.
Use the graph to determine the half-life of the radioactive substance.
half-life = .............................................. minutes [3]
15
[Total: 3]
28 The table compares three types of radioactive emission.
emission relative ionising ability relative penetrating ability
alpha
beta
gamma
Complete the table by choosing words from the box.
high low medium
[3]
[Total: 3]
29 A radioactive substance decays by emitting an α-particle.
An α-particle can be represented as .
Draw a labelled diagram showing the composition of an α-particle.
[3]
[Total: 3]
30 Radium-226 has a half-life of 1600 years.
A sample contains 8.0 mg of radium-226.
Calculate the time for the sample to decay until only 1.0 mg of radium-226 remains.
time = .............................................. years [2]
16
[Total: 2]
31 Use words from the box to complete the sentences about the charges in an atom. Words can be
used once, more than once or not at all.
negative neutral positive
The charge on the nucleus of an atom is .......................................... .
The charge on a proton is .......................................... .
The charge on electrons orbiting the nucleus is .......................................... . [3]
[Total: 3]
32 The table includes information about the properties of three types of naturally occurring, nuclear
radiation.
type of radiation charge mass (atomic mass units) nature
0 0 electromagnetic wave
α (alpha) +2 helium-4 nucleus
1/2000
Complete the table. [4]
[Total: 4]
17
33 Many schools and colleges use radioactive isotopes for teaching and research. Describe how these
radioactive isotopes are handled, used and stored in a safe way.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................. [3]
[Total: 3]
34 The nucleus of a hydrogen atom is a proton. The mass of a proton is m and the size of the charge
on a proton is e.
Complete the table. Express your answers in terms of m and e. Three spaces have already been
completed.
particle or emission mass charge
proton m e
neutron m
γ-ray
nucleus of helium-4
( )
[4]
[Total: 4]
35 A radiation detector is set up in a laboratory where there are no radioactive samples.
On six separate occasions, the detector is switched on for 1.0 minute and the background count
is recorded. The counts are:
23 27 25 24 20 25
(a) State why the readings are not all identical.
........................................................................................................................................... [1]
18
(b) Suggest a possible source for this background radiation.
........................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) A sample containing only one radioactive isotope is brought into the laboratory. The half-life
of the isotope is 15 hours.
The sample is placed near to the radiation detector in this laboratory. The detector is switched
on and, after 1.0 minute, a count of 440 is recorded.
The sample is left next to the detector and the experiment is repeated 45 hours later.
The detector is switched on for 1.0 minute.
Predict the reading for the count obtained on this occasion.
reading .............................................. [3]
[Total: 5]
36 One type of particle emitted during radioactive decay is an α-particle (alpha particle).
Describe the nature of an α-particle.
.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
