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Mass defect and nuclear binding energy: CAIE A‑Level Physics questions

Every CAIE A-Level Physics exam question on 23.1 Mass defect and nuclear binding energy, June 2024 and the specimen papers, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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266 questions

  1. Q9(a)

    Specimen · Paper 4

    1 mark23.1 Mass defect and nuclear binding energy
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 4, question 9(a): One nuclear reaction that can take place in a nuclear reactor may be represented, in part, by the equation shown below. Complete the equation. 235 U + 1 n $ 95

  2. Q9(b)(i)

    Specimen · Paper 4

    3 marks23.1 Mass defect and nuclear binding energy
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 4, question 9(b)(i): Show that the energy equivalent to 1.00 u is 934 MeV. [3]

  3. Q9(b)(ii)

    Specimen · Paper 4

    3 marks23.1 Mass defect and nuclear binding energy
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 4, question 9(b)(ii): Calculate the binding energy per nucleon, in MeV, of lanthanum-139 ( 139 La ). 57 binding energy per nucleon = MeV [3]

  4. Q9(c)

    Specimen · Paper 4

    2 marks23.1 Mass defect and nuclear binding energy
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 4, question 9(c): State and explain whether the binding energy per nucleon of uranium-235 ( U 92 equal to or less than the binding energy per nucleon of lanthanum-139 ( 139 La ).
All 4 questions on Mass defect and nuclear binding energy, as a list
  1. Specimen, Paper 4, Q9(a) (1 mark): One nuclear reaction that can take place in a nuclear reactor may be represented, in part, by the equation shown below. Complete the equation. 235 U + 1 n $ 95
  2. Specimen, Paper 4, Q9(b)(i) (3 marks): Show that the energy equivalent to 1.00 u is 934 MeV. [3]
  3. Specimen, Paper 4, Q9(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the binding energy per nucleon, in MeV, of lanthanum-139 ( 139 La ). 57 binding energy per nucleon = MeV [3]
  4. Specimen, Paper 4, Q9(c) (2 marks): State and explain whether the binding energy per nucleon of uranium-235 ( U 92 equal to or less than the binding energy per nucleon of lanthanum-139 ( 139 La ).

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