IB Physics SL E 3 7 Decay Nuclear Changes Questions

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

Exam points

Identify alpha, beta and gamma decay and their effects on nuclides.
Use conservation of nucleon number and charge to complete decay chains.
Explain decay products and quark changes in beta decay.

[Maximum number: 3]

Thallium-205 $\left({ }_{81}^{205} \mathrm{Tl}\right)$ can also form from successive alpha ( $\alpha$ ) and beta-minus ( $\beta^{-}$ ) decays of an unstable nuclide. The decays follow the sequence $\alpha \beta^{-} \beta^{-} \alpha$ . The diagram shows the position of $\frac{205}{81} \mathrm{Tl}$ on a chart of neutron number against proton number.

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

Draw four arrows to show the sequence of changes to N and Z that occur as the ${ }_{81}^{205} \mathrm{Tl}$ forms from the unstable nuclide.

any $\alpha$ change correct

any $\beta$ change correct

diagram fully correct

Award [2 max] for a correct diagram without arrows drawn.

For MP1 accept a (-2, -2) line with direction indicated, drawn at any position in the graph.

For MP2 accept a (1, -1) line with direction indicated, drawn at any position in the graph.

Award [1] max for a correct diagram with all arrows in the opposite direction

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