CAIE IGCSE Physics Nucleus Question Bank

Practise reading nuclide notation, calculating particle numbers, comparing isotopes and balancing fission or fusion equations using nucleon and proton totals.

Exam points

read proton number Z and nucleon number A, then calculate neutrons using A minus Z
identify isotopes by equal proton number and different neutron number or nucleon number
balance proton and nucleon totals in fission or fusion equations and describe the associated mass loss

Covered syllabus points

5.1.2.1—Composition of the nucleus in terms of 5.1.2.2—Relative charges of protons, neutrons 5.1.2.3—Terms proton number (atomic number) Z 5.1.2.4—Nuclide notation A ZX 5.1.2.5—What is meant by an isotope and state 5.1.2.6—Processes of nuclear fission and 5.1.2.7—Relationship between the proton number 5.1.2.8—Relationship between the nucleon

[Maximum number: 1]

The charge on a proton is e.
What is the charge on an electron and what is the charge on a neutron?

electron

neutron

-e

[Maximum number: 2]

(a)

A nucleus of technetium-99 $\left({ }_{43}^{99} \mathrm{Tc}\right)$ emits only a $\gamma$ -ray.

State any effect of this on

[ 2 ]

(i)

the proton number of the nucleus,

[ 1 ]

(ii)

the nucleon number of the nucleus.

[ 1 ]

[Maximum number: 1]

The chemical symbol of the element lithium is Li . The proton number of lithium is 3 .
Fig. 9.1 is a representation of a nucleus of a radioactive isotope of lithium that is about to decay.

Fig. 9.1

Write down, using nuclide notation, the symbol that represents this isotope of lithium.

${ }_{3}^{8}(\mathrm{Li})$

B1

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Covered syllabus points

5.1.2 The nucleus question 1

5.1.2 The nucleus question 2

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

5.1.2 The nucleus question 3