CAIE IGCSE Physics 5.2.3 Radioactive Decay Topic Practice

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Covered syllabus points

5.2.3.1—Radioactive decay is a change in an5.2.3.2—During α-decay or β-decay, the nucleus5.2.3.3—Isotopes of an element may be5.2.3.4—Effect of α-decay, β-decay and5.2.3.5—Decay equations, using nuclide

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The nuclei of the atoms in a substance are changing randomly and emitting radiation.
What is happening to the substance?

A

It is undergoing electromagnetic induction.

B

It is undergoing magnetisation.

C

It is undergoing solidification.

D

It is undergoing radioactive decay.

Question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

Which row correctly describes an example of radioactive decay?

original
nucleus

emission

change or
no change of element

stable

γ\gamma

change of element

unstable

α\alpha

change of element

unstable

α\alpha

no change of element

unstable

β\beta

no change of element

Question 3

[Maximum number: 4]

The isotope thallium-208 (81208 Tl)\left({ }_{81}^{208} \mathrm{~T} l\right) is radioactive. It decays by β\beta-decay.

Question (a)

(a)

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

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Complete the equation for this decay.

81208Tl⟶⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯Pb+…⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯β{ }_{81}^{208} \mathrm{Tl} \longrightarrow{ }_{\cdots \cdots \cdots}^{\cdots \cdots \cdots} \mathrm{Pb}+{ }_{\ldots \cdots \cdots}^{\cdots \cdots \cdots} \beta
[ 3 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

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

[ 1 ]
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