plumiInduced fission: AQA A‑Level Physics questions
AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.8.1.7 Induced fission, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ04.1
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ04.2
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ04.3
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ07.1
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ07.2
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ07.3
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ07.4
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ07.5
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ06.3
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ06.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ06.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ06.2
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ06.3
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answer
All 34 questions on Induced fission, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q29 (1 mark): Which is not a use of water in the nuclear industry? [1 mark] A to absorb neutrons released from fission B to cool a nuclear reactor C to shield radiation produ
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q30 (1 mark): The purpose of a moderator in a thermal nuclear reactor is to: [1 mark] A absorb neutrons to reduce the reaction rate. B add neutrons to start the chain reactio
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q04.1 (1 mark): One purpose of the coolant in a thermal nuclear reactor is to maintain a safe working temperature within the core. State the other purpose. [1 mark]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q04.2 (2 marks): State two properties that engineers consider when choosing a liquid to use as a coolant in a thermal nuclear reactor. [2 marks] 1 2
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q04.3 (2 marks): Explain how the power output of a thermal nuclear reactor is decreased. [2 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): The equation represents a typical fission reaction. 235 1 87 146 1 U n Br La 3 n 92 0 35 57 0 + → + + Which statement about this reaction is not true? [1 mark]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q07.1 (1 mark): Carbon is used as the moderator in some thermal nuclear reactors. Identify one other material commonly used as a moderator. [1 mark]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q07.2 (2 marks): State two benefits of slowing down the neutrons released during fission. [2 marks] 1 2
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q07.3 (2 marks): The collision of a neutron with the nucleus of a moderator atom is modelled using two gliders on a horizontal frictionless air track. In Figures 13 and 14 the g
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q07.4 (3 marks): In a reactor, the speed of a fast-moving neutron is reduced by a series of y random collisions with carbon-12 nuclei. The final kinetic energy Ef of the neutron
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q07.5 (2 marks): Explain, with reference to Figure 15, why elements with a small nucleon number are preferred as moderator materials. [2 marks] END OF SECTION A Section B
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q06.3 (2 marks): The nuclide labelled X in Figure 10 undergoes fission. Annotate Figure 10 with F1 and F2 to show one possible pair of nuclides resulting from the fission of X.
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q31 (1 mark): In a thermal reactor, induced fission occurs when a 235U 92 nucleus captures a neutron. Which statement is true? [1 mark] A The moderator absorbs excess neutron
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q29 (1 mark): What is the main purpose of a moderator in a thermal nuclear reactor? [1 mark] A to shield the surroundings from ionising radiations B to decrease the number of
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q06.1 (3 marks): Describe what happens when neutrons interact with U-235 and U-238 nuclei in a thermal nuclear reactor. [3 marks]
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q06.1 (1 mark): Explain why the kinetic energy of neutrons must be reduced in a thermal nuclear reactor. [1 mark]
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q06.2 (2 marks): As a result of a collision with an atom of a particular moderator, a neutron loses 63% of its kinetic energy. A neutron has an initial kinetic energy of 2.0 MeV
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q06.3 (2 marks): The kinetic energy of a neutron in a thermal nuclear reactor is reduced from about 2 MeV to about 1 eV. Explain why the number of collisions needed to do this d
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q31 (1 mark): What effect are the control rods intended to have on the average kinetic energy and number of fission neutrons in a thermal nuclear reactor? [1 mark] Average ki
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q32 (1 mark): Which of the following substances can be used as a moderator in a nuclear reactor? [1 mark] A Boron B Concrete C Uranium-238 D Water
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q04.1 (1 mark): State what happens to a neutron that is incident on the moderator. [1 mark]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q04.2 (1 mark): State what happens to a neutron that is incident on a control rod. [1 mark]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q04.3 (3 marks): A slow-moving neutron is in collision with a nucleus of an atom of the fuel which causes fission. Describe what happens in the process. [3 marks]
- June 2015, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q3(c)(i) (2 marks): A chain reaction is maintained in the core of a thermal nuclear reactor that is operating normally. Explain what is meant by a chain reaction, naming the materi
- June 2015, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the purpose of a moderator in a thermal nuclear reactor. [2 marks]
- June 2014, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): When a 235 92 U nucleus absorbs a slow-moving neutron and undergoes fission one possible pair of fission fragments is technetium 112 43 Tc and indium 122 49 In.
- June 2013, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q2(a) (2 marks): Describe the changes made inside a nuclear reactor to reduce its power output and explain the process involved. (2 marks)
- June 2013, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): The subsequent collisions of a neutron with the moderator are elastic. Describe what happens to the neutrons as a result of these subsequent collisions with the
- June 2011, PHYA5 Section A (old spec), Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the number of neutrons, x. answer = neutrons (1 mark)
- June 2008, PA04A (2008 spec), Q14 (2 marks): 14 Which one of the following statements correctly describes the changes that occur when a uranium nucleus undergoes Þ ssion? A The binding energy per nucleon d
- June 2008, PA04A (2008 spec), Q15 (2 marks): 15 A nucleus of 235U 92 absorbs a neutron and undergoes Þ ssion. Which one of the following gives possible products of this process? A 2 4 He + 228Ra 2 88 B 141
- June 2008, PA04B (2008 spec), Q5(a) (4 marks): 5 (a) You may be awarded additional marks to those shown in brackets for the in your answer. In the context of nuclear fission, explain what is meant by 5 (a) (
- June 2008, PA04B (2008 spec), Q5(b) (4 marks): 5 (b) Moderation and cooling are essential processes in the operation of a nuclear power reactor using thermal neutrons. For each process, name a suitable mater
- January 2008, PA04A (2008 spec), Q15 (2 marks): 15 Which one of the following materials, if introduced into the core of an overheated nuclear fission reactor, would be most effective in reducing the rate of f
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © AQA, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? AQA A-Level Physics past papers.
The Plumi iPad app also offers exam-style questions with AI feedback on your handwritten working.