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IB Physics HL E 3 7 Decay Nuclear Changes Questions

Track HL nuclear changes through alpha, beta and gamma emissions, identifying changes in nucleon number, proton number and nuclear energy.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Physics HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • determine how alpha, beta-minus, beta-plus and gamma emissions change proton number, nucleon number and nuclear energy
  • explain gamma emission after beta decay as de-excitation from an excited daughter nucleus to a lower energy state
  • use decay sequences and nuclear energy-level diagrams to identify products, isotope relationships and maximum emitted-photon energy

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Study E.3.7—Decay nuclear changes conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

IB Physics HL E 3 7 Decay Nuclear Changes Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Rhodium-106 (45106Rh)\left({ }_{45}^{106} \mathrm{Rh}\right) decays into palladium-106 (46106Pd)\left({ }_{46}^{106} \mathrm{Pd}\right) by beta minus (β−)\left(\beta^{-}\right)decay. The diagram shows some of the nuclear energy levels of rhodium-106 and palladium-106. The arrow represents the β−\beta^{-}decay.

Figure for Question IB Physics HL E 3 7 Decay Nuclear Changes Questions question 1 — IB Physics HL

Suggest why the β−\beta^{-}decay is followed by the emission of a gamma ray photon.

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