1. Motion, forces and energy

1.1 Physical quantities and measurement techniques

1.2 Motion

1.3 Mass and weight

1.4 Density

1.5.1 Effects of forces

1.5.2 Turning effect of forces

1.5.3 Centre of gravity

1.6 Momentum

1.7.1 Energy

1.7.2 Work

1.7.3 Energy resources

1.7.4 Power

1.8 Pressure

2. Thermal physics

2.1.1 States of matter

2.1.2 Particle model

2.1.3 Gases and the absolute scale of temperature

2.2.1 Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

2.2.2 Specific heat capacity

2.2.3 Melting, boiling and evaporation

2.3.1 Conduction

2.3.2 Convection

2.3.3 Radiation

2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer

3. Waves

3.1 General properties of waves

3.2.1 Reflection of light

3.2.2 Refraction of light

3.2.3 Thin lenses

3.2.4 Dispersion of light

3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum

3.4 Sound

4. Electricity and magnetism

4.1 Simple phenomena of magnetism

4.2.1 Electric charge

4.2.2 Electric current

4.2.3 Electromotive force and potential difference

4.2.4 Resistance

4.2.5 Electrical energy and electrical power

4.3.1 Circuit diagrams and circuit components

4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits

4.3.3 Action and use of circuit components

4.4 Electrical safety

4.5.1 Electromagnetic induction

4.5.2 The a.c. generator

4.5.3 Magnetic effect of a current

4.5.4 Force on a current-carrying conductor

4.5.5 The d.c. motor

4.5.6 The transformer

5. Nuclear physics

5.1.1 The atom

5.1.2 The nucleus

5.2.1 Detection of radioactivity

5.2.2 The three types of nuclear emission

5.2.3 Radioactive decay

5.2.4 Half-life

5.2.5 Safety precautions

6. Space physics

6.1.1 The Earth

6.1.2 The Solar System

6.2.1 The Sun as a star

6.2.2 Stars

6.2.3 The Universe

IGCSE Physics 5.2.2 The three types of nuclear emission Question Bank

[Maximum number: 1]

A beta-particle enters a uniform magnetic field directed into the page and deflects downwards, as shown.

Which direction of electric field would also deflect an electron downwards?

into the page

out of the page

down the page

up the page

(a)

A beam consists of $\alpha$ -particles, $\beta$ -particles and $\gamma$ -rays.

Explain how a uniform magnetic field may be used to separate the $\alpha$ -particles, the $\beta$ -particles and the $\gamma$ -rays.

[ 3 ]

[Maximum number: 1]

A radioactive source is placed near a detector.
The radiation arriving at the detector from the source is measured for 10 minutes with different materials placed between the source and the detector.

Which types of radiation are emitted by the source?

$\alpha$ -particles and $\gamma$ -rays

$\alpha$ -particles only

$\beta$ -particles and $\gamma$ -rays

$\beta$ -particles only

[Maximum number: 1]

The diagram represents the paths of three types of ionising radiation, X, Y and Z, through a magnetic field.

The three types of radiation are alpha, beta and gamma.

Which statement about the ionising radiation is correct?

X is positively charged.

Y is negatively charged.

Z is the most strongly ionising.

X has a smaller mass than Y .

[Maximum number: 1]

$35 \alpha$ -particles, $\beta$ -particles and $\gamma$ -rays are emitted by radioactive nuclei when they decay.
Which emissions can be deflected by an electric field?

$\alpha$ -particles, $\beta$ -particles and $\gamma$ -rays

$\alpha$ -particles and $\beta$ -particles only

$\beta$ -particles and $\gamma$ -rays only

$\gamma$ -rays and $\alpha$ -particles only

[Maximum number: 1]

Why are beta-particles deflected more strongly than alpha-particles when they enter an electric field?

Beta-particles have less mass than alpha-particles.

Beta-particles are negatively charged.

Beta-particles have lower velocities than alpha-particles.

Beta-particles have more ionising power than alpha-particles.

(a)

Two identical radioactive sources emit $\alpha$ -particles and $\gamma$ -rays into two vacuum tubes.

[ 4 ]

(i)

Fig. 8.1 shows two electrically charged plates on either side of one of the vacuum tubes.

Fig. 8.1

Write the symbol $\alpha$ once in Table 8.1 to indicate any deflection of the $\alpha$ -particles.
Write the symbol $\gamma$ once in Table 8.1 to indicate any deflection of the $\gamma$ -rays.

Table 8.1

[ 2 ]

(ii)

Fig. 8.2 shows the poles of a very strong magnet on either side of the other vacuum tube.

Fig. 8.2

Write the symbol $\alpha$ once in Table 8.2 to indicate any deflection of the $\alpha$ -particles.
Write the symbol $\gamma$ once in Table 8.2 to indicate any deflection of the $\gamma$ -rays.

Table 8.2

[ 2 ]

[Maximum number: 1]

The diagram shows emissions from a source passing into the electric field between two charged plates.

What is emitted by this source?

neutrons and $\gamma$ -rays only

$\alpha$ -particles and $\beta$ -particles only

$\alpha$ -particles and $\gamma$ -rays only

$\beta$ -particles and $\gamma$ -rays only

[Maximum number: 1]

The table compares $\alpha$ -radiation, $\beta$ -radiation and $\gamma$ -radiation.
Which row is correct?

$\alpha$ -radiation

$\beta$ -radiation

$\gamma$ -radiation

more ionising than $\beta$ or $\gamma$

a proton

electromagnetic radiation

less ionising than $\beta$ or $\gamma$

an electron

two protons and two neutrons

more ionising than $\beta$ or $\gamma$

an electron

electromagnetic radiation

less ionising than $\beta$ or $\gamma$

electromagnetic radiation

a proton

[Maximum number: 1]

The radiation from a radioactive source passes between two metal plates, and is deflected as shown in the diagram. Between the plates there is a magnetic field directed into the plane of the paper, as indicated by the crosses.

Only one type of radiation is present.
Which situation is possible?

The source emits alpha particles and there is an upwards electric field between the plates.

The source emits alpha particles and there is no electric field between the plates.

The source emits beta particles and there is an upwards electric field between the plates.

The source emits gamma radiation and there is a downwards electric field between the plates.

0 selected

Question 33

Question 7

Question 7(c)

Question 35

Question 35

Question 35

Question 36

Question 8

Question 8(a)

Question 8(a)(i)

Question 8(a)(ii)

Question 37

Question 38

Question 38