O-LevelPhysicsNuclear Physics5054/12 · Oct/Nov 2015 · Q391 Mark

A radioactive isotope ¹⁴C emits beta-particles. A sample of this isotope is left for a period of time that is equal to its half-life. Which two quantities decrease to half of their initial value during this time?

Athe decay rate and the number of protons

Bthe mass of the sample and the number of ¹⁴C nuclei

Cthe number of ¹⁴C nuclei and the decay rate

Dthe number of protons and the mass of the sample

✓ Correct answer

C: the number of ¹⁴C nuclei and the decay rate

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Topic: Nuclear Physics, O-Level Physics (syllabus 5054). Multiple choice, 1 mark.
Source: O-Level Physics, Oct/Nov 2015 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 39.

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