Cambridge International AS & A Level
12: Nuclear physics – Topic questions
The questions in this document have been compiled from a number of past papers, as indicated in the table
below.
Use these questions to formatively assess your learners’ understanding of this topic.
Question Year Series Paper number
12 2017 June 41
12 2017 March 42
13 2016 March 42
The mark scheme for each question is provided at the end of the document.
You can find the complete question papers and the complete mark schemes (with additional notes where
available) on the School Support Hub at www.cambridgeinternational.org/support
12 One possible nuclear reaction that takes place in a nuclear reactor is given by the equation
235U
92 + 1n
0
95Mo
42 + 139La
57 + 210n + x –10e
Data for the nuclei and particles are given in Fig. 12.1.
nucleus or particle mass / u
235U 235.123
92
95Mo 94.945
42
139La 138.955
57
1n 1.00863
0
0 5.49 × 10–4
–1e
Fig. 12.1
(a) Determine, for this nuclear reaction, the value of x.
x = ...........................................................[1]
(b) (i) Show that the energy equivalent to 1.00 u is 934 MeV.
[3]
(ii) Calculate the energy, in MeV, released in this reaction. Give your answer to three
significant figures.
energy = ................................................. MeV [3]
(c) Suggest the forms of energy into which the energy calculated in (b)(ii) is transformed.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 9]
12 (a) Define the binding energy of a nucleus.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
(b) A stationary nucleus of uranium-238 (23982U) decays to form a nucleus of thorium-234 (23940Th).
An α-particle and a gamma-ray photon are emitted. The equation representing the decay is
238U 234Th + 42He + 00γ
92 90
The masses of the nuclei are given in Fig. 12.1.
nucleus mass / u
uranium-238 238. 05076
thorium-234 234.04357
helium-4 4.00260
Fig. 12.1
(i) State the relationship between the binding energies of the nuclei that is consistent with
this reaction being energetically possible.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) Calculate, for this reaction,
1. the change, in u, of the mass,
change of mass = ........................................................u [1]
2. the total energy, in J, released.
energy = ........................................................ J [2]
(iii) State and explain whether the energy of the gamma-ray photon is equal to the energy
released in the reaction.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 8]
13 Beryllium-7 (74 Be) is produced in the upper atmosphere and then sinks down onto the Earth’s
surface. Nuclei of beryllium-7 decay with a half-life of 53.3 days to form stable nuclei.
The activity of a sample of beryllium-7 on a tree leaf is 39 mBq.
(a) Show that the decay constant of beryllium-7 is 1.5 × 10–7 s–1.
[1]
(b) Determine the mass of the beryllium-7 on the leaf.
mass = ......................................................kg [3]
(c) The leaf is covered so that no further beryllium-7 is added to the existing sample from the
atmosphere.
Calculate the time that must elapse before the activity of the sample is reduced to 2.0 mBq.
time = ........................................................s [2]
[Total: 6]
Question Answer Marks
12 (a) x=7 1
12 (b) (i) E = mc2 1
–27 8 2
= 1.66 × 10 × (3.0 × 10 ) 1
= 1.494 × 10–10 J
division by 1.6 × 10–13 clear to give 934 MeV 1
12 (b) (ii) Δm = (235.123 + 1.00863) – (94.945 + 138.955 + 2 × 1.00863 + 7 × 5.49 1
× 10–4)
or
Δm = 235.123 – (94.945 + 138.955 + 1 × 1.00863 + 7 × 5.49 × 10–4)
= 0.21053 u 1
energy = 0.21053 × 934 1
= 197 MeV
12 (c) kinetic energy of nuclei/particles/products/fragments 1
γ–ray photon energy 1
Total: 9
12 (a) either
(minimum) energy required / work done to separate the nucleons (in a 1
nucleus)
to infinity 1
or
energy released when nucleons come together (to form a nucleus) (1)
from infinity (1)
12 (b) (i) (total) binding energy of thorium and helium (nuclei) greater than binding 1
energy of uranium (nucleus)
12 (b) (ii)1 change in mass = 238.05076 – (234.04357 + 4.00260) = 4.59 × 10–3 u 1
12 (b) (ii)2 either
E = mc2 1
= 4.59 × 10–3 × 1.66 × 10–27 × (3.00 × 108)2
= 6.9 × 10–13J 1
or
1u = 931 MeV (1)
E = 4.59 × 10–3 × 931 × 106 × 1.6 × 10–19
= 6.8 × 10–13J (1)
Th nucleus / He nucleus / product nucleus has kinetic energy 1
12 (b) (iii)
energy of gamma photon must be less than energy released 1
Total: 8
Question Answer Marks
13 (a) 𝜆 = ln2 / T½ 1
–7 –1
= ln2 / (53.3 × 24 × 60 × 60) =1.5 × 10 s
13 (b) A = 𝜆N 1
N = 39 × 10–3 / 1.5 × 10–7 = 2.6 ×105 1
m = (2.6 × 105 / 6.0 × 1023) × 7 × 10–3 or 2.6 × 105 × 1.66 × 10–27 × 7
= 3.0 × 10–21kg 1
13 (c) 2 / 39 = exp (–1.5 × 10–7 × t ) or 2 / 39 = (1 / 2)[t / (53.3 × 24 × 3600)] 1
t = 2.0 × 107 s 1
Total: 6
Notes about the mark scheme are available separately.
