A-LevelPhysicsNuclear physics9702/12 · May/June 2025 · Q401 Mark

A nucleus of carbon-11 contains 6 protons and 5 neutrons. The nucleus of carbon-11 decays by βt emission. What is the total number of up and down quarks in the product of the decay of this nucleus? [Table with columns: up quarks, down quarks and rows A, B, C, D with numerical values.]

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ARow A: up quarks: 15, down quarks: 18

BRow B: up quarks: 16, down quarks: 17

CRow C: up quarks: 17, down quarks: 16

DRow D: up quarks: 18, down quarks: 15

✓ Correct answer

B: Row B: up quarks: 16, down quarks: 17

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Topic: Nuclear physics, A-Level Physics (syllabus 9702). Multiple choice, 1 mark.
Source: A-Level Physics, May/June 2025 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 40.

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