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CAIE IGCSE Physics Spontaneous and Random Radioactive Decay

Practise recognising radioactive decay as spontaneous random change in an unstable nucleus and explain why individual decay times and count readings vary.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Physics 0625

Exam points

  • state that alpha and beta emission from an unstable nucleus are spontaneous random processes
  • explain that no method can predict which particular nucleus will decay first or when it will decay
  • attribute fluctuations between repeated detector readings to the random nature of nuclear decay

5.2.3.1—Radioactive decay is a change in an question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Fig. 11.2 shows a geologist holding a radiation detector near a rock.

Fig. 11.2

Fig. 11.2

She holds the detector in a fixed position and records the readings shown in Table 11.1.

Table 11.1

Table 11.1

Explain the changes in the detector readings.

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