CAIE IGCSE Physics 5.1.2 The Nucleus Topic Practice

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Covered syllabus points

5.1.2.1—Composition of the nucleus in terms of5.1.2.2—Relative charges of protons, neutrons5.1.2.3—Terms proton number (atomic number) Z5.1.2.4—Nuclide notation A ZX5.1.2.5—What is meant by an isotope and state5.1.2.6—Processes of nuclear fission and5.1.2.7—Relationship between the proton number5.1.2.8—Relationship between the nucleon

Question 1

[Maximum number: 4]

The nucleus of a hydrogen atom is a proton. The mass of a proton is m and the size of the charge on a proton is e.
Complete Table 10.1. Express your answers in terms of m and e. Three spaces have already been completed.

Table 10.1

Table 10.1

Question 2

[Maximum number: 5]

The isotope uranium-235 is represented by

92235∪.{ }_{92}^{235} \cup .

Question (a)

(a)

State what the numbers 92 and 235 represent in this symbol.

92 is

235 is

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Uranium-235 is a fuel used in nuclear reactors.

[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

State the process by which energy is released from uranium-235 in a nuclear reactor.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

A nuclide equation for this process is

92235U+01n→54140Xe+3894Sr+201n.{ }_{92}^{235} \mathrm{U}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \rightarrow{ }_{54}^{140} \mathrm{Xe}+{ }_{38}^{94} \mathrm{Sr}+2{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} .

Describe the mass and energy changes that take place during this process in a nuclear reactor.

[ 2 ]

Question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

The radioactive isotope iodine-131 is used as a tracer in medical diagnosis. A nucleus of iodine-131 contains 53 protons and 78 neutrons. The symbol for iodine is I .

Use nuclide notation to show this isotope of iodine.

Question 4

[Maximum number: 2]

The isotope uranium-235 is represented by

92235∪.{ }_{92}^{235} \cup .

State what the numbers 92 and 235 represent in this symbol.

92 is

235 is

Question 5

[Maximum number: 1]

Many household smoke alarms contain a sample of the radioactive isotope americium-241 (Am).

Americium-241 is the isotope of the element americium that has the nucleon number (mass number) 241.

State how the composition of a nucleus of americium-241 differs from that of a nucleus of americium-242.

Question 6

[Maximum number: 1]

The notation represents the nucleus of a gold atom.

\section*{197 \\ 97Au{ }_{9}^{7} \mathrm{Au}}

The relative charge on a proton is +1 .
What is the relative charge on the gold nucleus?

A

+79

B

+118

C

+197

D

+276

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