Fig. 11.1 represents a nuclear fusion reaction. At very high temperatures, nuclei of the two isotopes ³H and ²H fuse together. Energy is produced and two new particles are formed, particle A and particle B.
- (a)Explain what is meant by isotopes of hydrogen.[2]
- (b)(i)Using Fig. 11.1, state (i) the number of neutrons in a nucleus of the isotope ³H,[1]
- (b)(ii)(ii) the name of particle A,[1]
- (b)(iii)(iii) the proton number of particle B,[1]
- (b)(iv)(iv) the nucleon number (mass number) of particle B.[1]
- (c)A very high temperature is needed to force nuclei together. Explain why.[2]
- (d)A star forms from a large cloud of gas and dust in space. Describe what happens as the star forms.[3]
- (e)(i)State what is meant by half-life.[2]
- (e)(ii)A sample contains 16000 atoms of ³H. Calculate the number of atoms of ³H present in the sample after 48 years.[2]
This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.
Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [2] (nucleus/nuclide/atom) with same number of protons
- [1] 2
- [1] neutron
- [1] 2
- [1] 4
- [1] nuclei repel or like/positive charges repel
- [1] (needs) high kinetic energy/speed (to overcome repulsion)
- [1] (dust/gas) collapses/comes together/clusters/condenses
- [1] gravitational attraction or gravity mentioned
- [1] temperature rises or KE (dust/gas) increases
- [1] time for a quantity to halve
- [1] time for (radio)activity/count rate/number of atoms/number of nuclei to halve
- [1] any relevant halving seen, e.g. 16000/2
- [1] 1000
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