1

1 The diagram represents a neutral atom of an isotope of element X.

State one similarity between this atom and a neutral atom of a different isotope of element X.

They have equal numbers of protons and electrons. [1]

[Total: 1]
 2 The diagram represents a neutral atom of an isotope of element X.

The isotope of element X is radioactive. It decays to form an isotope of element Y by emitting a

β-particle.

Using the diagram, deduce the nuclide notation for the isotope of Y produced by this decay.

13 top
5 bottom

0
-1

13 Y
[3]
16
[Total: 3]
3 The diagram shows a beam of α-particles moving towards a thin sheet of gold in a vacuum.

Detectors in the region surrounding the thin gold sheet detect the α-particles and determine the
number of particles that travel in various directions.

State and explain what can be deduced from the following observation.

The majority of the α-particles pass through the gold sheet undeflected and are detected on the
far side.

deduction mostly empty space and the nucleus is very small

explanation As only a few particles collided with the nucleus. [2]

[Total: 2]

4 One isotope of iridium-194 is represented by

This isotope decays by β-emission to a stable isotope of platinum (Pt).

Complete the nuclide equation for this decay.

[3]
194 0
78 -1
[Total: 3]
5 An isotope of an element is radioactive. It decays by emitting a β-particle.

β-particles ionize the air they pass through less strongly than the same number of α-particles.

Suggest why this is so.

Less charge and energy compared to alpha particles. [3]

[Total: 3]

6 The diagram shows a vacuum tube with a radioactive source. The radioactive source emits
α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays. There is a very strong magnetic field between the N pole and
the S pole of the magnet.

Describe the path of the β-particles as they pass through the magnetic field. Explain your answer.

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]
 7 A radioactive nucleus of carbon decays to a nucleus of nitrogen by emitting a particle.

Complete the nuclide equation and state the name of the particle.

name of particle X 0
[3]
-1
[Total: 3]

8 A radiation detector in a laboratory records a reading of 10 counts / min. There are no

radioactive samples in the laboratory.

Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5700 years. There are atoms of carbon-14 in all living organisms.

An archaeologist digs up some ancient wood. In the laboratory, a sample of this ancient wood
gives a reading of 20 counts / min. An equivalent sample of living wood gives a reading of 80
counts / min. It is suggested that the age of the ancient sample is 11 400 years.

Do a calculation to check whether this suggestion is correct.

Living wood = 80 – 10 = 70 counts / min

Ancient wood = 20 – 10 = 10 counts / min
70 / 10 = 7 half lives
Age > 11400 years

[4]

[Total: 4]

9 A radiation detector is set up in a laboratory where there are no radioactive samples.

On six separate occasions, the detector is switched on for 1.0 minute and the background count
is recorded. The counts are:

23 27 25 24 20 25

(a) State why the readings are not all identical.

Background radiation is random. [1]

 (b) Suggest a possible source for this background radiation.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) A sample containing only one radioactive isotope is brought into the laboratory. The half-life
of the isotope is 15 hours.

The sample is placed near to the radiation detector in this laboratory. The detector is switched
on and, after 1.0 minute, a count of 440 is recorded.

The sample is left next to the detector and the experiment is repeated 45 hours later.

The detector is switched on for 1.0 minute.

Predict the reading for the count obtained on this occasion.

reading...................................................[3]

[Total: 5]

10 The chemical symbol of the element lithium is Li. The proton number of lithium is 3.

The diagram shows a representation of a nucleus of a radioactive isotope of lithium that decays
by β-particle emission to form another nucleus.

Complete the diagram to represent this decay by:

• drawing the nucleus formed by the decay in the space after the arrow
• writing the name of the particle that is identical to a β-particle on the answer line provided.

+ .............................................

[3]

[Total: 3]
11 With no radioactive sample present, a scientist records a background radiation count
of 40 counts / minute.

The scientist brings a radioactive sample close to the detector. The count rate increases to 200
counts / minute.

After 24 days the count rate is 50 counts / minute.

Calculate the half-life of the radioactive sample.

half-life =...................................................[4]

[Total: 4]

12 Thorium-234 ( ) is radioactive. It decays by β-emission to form an isotope of protactinium

(Pa).

(a) A pure sample of thorium-234 emits β-particles at a count rate of 2480 counts/second.
The half-life of thorium-234 is 24 days.

Calculate the count rate for the emission of β-particles from the thorium in the sample after
72 days have passed.

count rate...................................................[3]

(b) The isotope of protactinium produced by the decay of Thorium-234 is also radioactive. It
decays by β-emission and has a half-life of 70 seconds.

State and explain how this would affect the observed count rate for the sample in (a) after
72 days.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 6]
13 The isotope radon-220 is radioactive.

The half-life of radon-220 is 56 s.

A sample of this isotope contains 7.2 × 106 atoms.

Predict the number of α-particles that the radon-220 in the sample emits in the next 168 s.

number of α-particles emitted =...................................................[3]

[Total: 3]

14 The table shows data about nine elements.

proton number element symbol

2 helium He
3 lithium Li
4 beryllium Be
5 boron B
6 carbon C
7 nitrogen N
8 oxygen O
9 fluorine F
10 neon Ne

Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope with a nucleon number of 14. It decays by emitting β-particles.

Use any data you need from the table to write down the nuclide equation for this decay.

[4]

[Total: 4]
15 Americium is a radioactive isotope.

Ionisation smoke detectors contain americium and two small electrodes with a small voltage
between them. The air between the electrodes is ionised by α-particles so that there is a small
electric current between the electrodes.

Suggest and explain the effect of smoke on the current between the electrodes in the smoke
detector.

suggestion: ...............................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

explanation: ..............................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 1]

16 Thorium is radioactive and has a half-life of 26 hours. At a certain time, a pure sample of this
isotope initially contains 4.8 × 109 atoms.

Calculate the number of atoms of this sample that decay in the following 52 hours.

number =...................................................[3]

[Total: 3]