CAIE IGCSE Physics 5.2.3.3 Isotopes of an Element May Be Questions

Practise comparing stable and radioactive isotopes by neutron content and explain instability through an excess of neutrons or a nucleus that is too heavy.

Exam points

calculate corrected count rate by subtracting background count rate
convert detector counts and time into counts per second or minute
analyse radioactive decay count-rate data and half-life measurements

[Maximum number: 1]

The isotope thallium-208 $\left({ }_{81}^{208} \mathrm{~T} l\right)$ is radioactive. It decays by $\beta$ -decay.

Thallium-208 decays to an isotope of lead (Pb).

Suggest one reason why a nucleus of thallium-208 is unstable.

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CAIE IGCSE Physics 5.2.3.3 Isotopes of an Element May Be Questions question 1