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A-LevelPhysicsParticle physicsFeb/Mar 2024Paper 1 Q401 Mark

A nucleus of carbon-10, ¹⁰C, decays by beta-emission to form a nucleus of boron-10, ¹⁰B. For this decay process, what is the change to a nucleon and what is the change in the quark composition of the nucleon?

Achange to nucleon proton to neutron, change in quark composition down becomes up
Bchange to nucleon proton to neutron, change in quark composition up becomes down
Cchange to nucleon neutron to proton, change in quark composition down becomes up
Dchange to nucleon neutron to proton, change in quark composition up becomes down

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is B: change to nucleon proton to neutron, change in quark composition up becomes down

📋 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 Particle physics in A-Level Physics (syllabus code 9702). It is worth 1 mark.

Source

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Physics Feb/Mar 2024 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2.

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