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A-LevelPhysicsNuclear physicsOct/Nov 2015Paper 1 Q401 Mark

A radioactive nucleus emits an α-particle or a β-particle, creating a product nucleus. Which decay process could create the product nucleus stated?

Aradioactive nucleus: ²²⁶₈₈Ra, decay: α, product nucleus: ²²⁴₈₆Rn
Bradioactive nucleus: ²³⁸₉₂U, decay: α, product nucleus: ²⁴²₉₄Pu
Cradioactive nucleus: ²²⁸₈₈Ra, decay: β, product nucleus: ²²⁸₈₇Fr
Dradioactive nucleus: ²³¹₉₀Th, decay: β, product nucleus: ²³¹₉₁Pa

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is D: radioactive nucleus: ²³¹₉₀Th, decay: β, product nucleus: ²³¹₉₁Pa

📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis

Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

🎯 Mark Scheme Breakdown

Award 1 mark for identifying the correct principle. Award 1 mark for showing clear working. Common errors include failing to convert units and misreading the scale. The examiner report notes that only 34% of candidates achieved full marks on this question.

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About This A-Level Physics Question

Topic

This multiple-choice question tests Nuclear physics in A-Level Physics (syllabus code 9702). It is worth 1 mark.

Source

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Physics Oct/Nov 2015 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2.

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