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O-LevelPhysicsNuclear Physics5054/21 · Oct/Nov 2019 · Q79 Marks

Table 7.1 shows the composition of four neutral atoms and one atom that has been ionised. These five particles are labelled P, Q, R, S and T. [Table 7.1]

  1. (a)(i)The charge on an electron is -1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹C. State which of P, Q, R, S and T is the ionised atom.[1]
  2. (a)(ii)State the size and the sign of the charge on the ionised atom.[1]
  3. (b)State which pair from P, Q, R, S and T are isotopes of the same element.[1]
  4. (c)(i)One of the atoms is a radioactive isotope that decays to produce one of the other atoms. Deduce which atom decays in this way.[1]
  5. (c)(ii)Deduce which atom is the product of this decay.[1]
  6. (c)(iii)Deduce which type of radioactive decay occurs.[1]
  7. (c)(iv)The half-life for this radioactive decay is 33 years. A radioactive sample contains a large number of the atoms that decay in this way. Determine the fraction of this number of atoms that will decay in 99 years.[3]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [B1] (atomic particle) Q
  2. [B1] +1.6 x 10⁻¹⁹ C
  3. [B1] (atomic particle) Q and (atomic particle) S
  4. [B1] (atomic particle) R
  5. [B1] (atomic particle) S
  6. [B1] beta-(particle) emission
  7. [C1] 99/33 or 3 half-lives
  8. [C1] 1/2³ or 1/8 (remain)
  9. [A1] 7/8

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About this question

Topic
Nuclear Physics, O-Level Physics (syllabus 5054). Structured question, 9 marks.
Source
O-Level Physics, Oct/Nov 2019 Paper 2 Variant 1, question 7.

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