CAIE A-Level Physics 23.2.2 Spontaneous and Random Radioactive Decay
Practise explaining why radioactive decay is spontaneous and random, and why activity falls as undecayed nuclei decrease.
- Syllabus
- 2028–2030
- Course
- Physics 9702
- Level
- A2
Exam points
- explain radioactive decay as spontaneous and random
- explain the fall in activity as fewer undecayed nuclei remain while each has the same decay probability
23.2.2—Radioactive decay is both spontaneous and random question 1
[Maximum number: 3]
The readings in (b) were obtained at room temperature.
A second sample of this isotope is heated to a temperature of 500∘C.
The initial count rate at time t=0 is the same as that in (b).
The variation with time t of the measured count rate from the heated source is determined.
State, with a reason, the difference, if any, in
1. the half-life,
2. the measured count rate for any specific time.
1. half-life: no change
M1
because decay is spontaneous/independent of environment
A1
2. count rate (likely to be or could be) different/is random/cannot be predicted
B1
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