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Edexcel IGCSE Physics 7 Radioactivity & particles Question Bank

Practise nuclear structure, ionising radiation, decay equations, detectors, count-rate calculations and fission or fusion contexts.

Syllabus
First assessment 2019
Course
Physics 4PH1

Covered syllabus points

Radioactivity and particles units(b) Radioactivity(c) Fission and fusion

7 Radioactivity and particles question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

This question is about astrophysics.

The boxes give some units of time and some definitions.

Draw a straight line from each unit of time to its correct definition.

Figure for Question 7 Radioactivity and particles question 1 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

7 Radioactivity and particles question 2

[Maximum number: 6]

Question (a)

(a)

Which statement describes the term atomic number for a nucleus?

A

number of electrons in the nucleus

B

number of neutrons in the nucleus

C

number of protons in the nucleus

D

number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Which statement describes the term mass number for a nucleus?

A

number of electrons in the nucleus

B

number of neutrons in the nucleus

C

number of protons in the nucleus

D

number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Which statement describes the term isotopes?

A

atoms with the same number of electrons but a different number of protons

B

atoms with the same number of neutrons but a different number of electrons

C

atoms with the same number of neutrons but a different number of protons

D

atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons

[ 1 ]

Question (d)

(d)

An atom contains 8 protons, 8 neutrons and 8 electrons.

Which of these would result in a negatively charged ion of the same element?

A

adding an electron

B

adding a proton

C

removing an electron

D

removing a proton

[ 1 ]

Question (e)

(e)

It is not possible to predict exactly when a radioactive nucleus will decay.

Which feature of radioactive decay best explains this observation?

A

radioactive decay can change the structure of the nucleus

B

radioactive decay happens at random

C

radioactive decay is irreversible

D

radioactive decay makes a nucleus more stable

[ 1 ]

Question (f)

(f)

Which of these is the correct unit for measuring the activity of a radioactive sample?

A

becquerel (Bq)

B

coulomb (C)

C

joule (J)

D

watt (W)

[ 1 ]

7 Radioactivity and particles question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

Energy is transferred from the Sun to the Earth.

Nuclear fusion happens in the Sun.

Which energy store of the Sun decreases during nuclear fusion?

A

chemical

B

kinetic

C

nuclear

D

thermal

7 Radioactivity and particles question 4

[Maximum number: 13]

This question is about radioactive isotopes used for medical imaging.

Question (a)

(a)

lodine-131 is represented by this symbol.

53131I{ }_{53}^{131} \mathrm{I}
[ 8 ]

Question (i)

(i)

How many neutrons are in the nucleus of an atom of iodine-131?

A

53

B

78

C

131

D

184

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Iodine-131 is radioactive and decays with a half-life of 8 days.

State what is meant by the term half-life.

[ 2 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

The cross ( x ) on the graph shows the initial number of atoms in a sample of iodine-131.

Draw three more crosses ( × ) on the graph to show how the number of atoms of iodine-131 in the sample changes during three half-lives.
[iodine-131 half-life =8 days]

Figure for Question (iii) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics
[ 3 ]

Question (iv)

(iv)

Use a curve of best fit on the graph to estimate the time taken for the number of atoms in the sample to decrease to 5000.
time taken = days

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

When iodine-131 decays, it emits beta radiation and gamma radiation.

A patient swallows a tablet containing iodine-131. The radiation emitted can be detected outside the body.

[ 2 ]

Question (i)

(i)

State the name of a piece of equipment that can detect the radiation emitted by iodine-131.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Give a reason why gamma radiation is more likely to be detected outside the body than beta radiation.

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Technetium-99m is another radioactive isotope.

Iodine-131 and technetium-99m are both used as medical tracers. Medical tracers use radiation detected outside the body to diagnose illnesses.

The table gives information about some of the properties of iodine-131 and technetium-99m when they undergo radioactive decay.

Table for Question (c) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Explain why technetium-99m is likely to be safer than iodine-131 when used as a medical tracer.

[ 3 ]
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