plumiRadioactivity: CAIE IGCSE Physics questions
Every CAIE IGCSE Physics exam question on 5.2 Radioactivity, June 2024 and the specimen papers, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Calculations
Q10(b)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 3, question 10(b): Strontium-90 decays by emitting β-particles (beta-particles). Describe the nature of β-particles. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/062531-jun24-10-b-qp.webp)
Q10(c)
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Q8(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 4, question 8(a)(i): Complete the equation for this decay. 208 81Tl Pb + β [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/062541-jun24-08-ai-qp.webp)
Q8(a)(ii)
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Q8(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 4, question 8(a)(iii): Suggest one reason why a nucleus of thallium-208 is unstable. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/062541-jun24-08-aiii-qp.webp)
Q8(b)
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Q11(b)
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Q10(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![Specimen Paper 4, question 10(a)(i): An americium (Am) nucleus decays by the emission of an α-particle into a neptunium (Np) nucleus. Complete the nuclear equation for this decay. 241 Am → 95 [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/062504-spec-10-ai-qp.webp)
Q10(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![Specimen Paper 4, question 10(a)(ii): Americium is used in smoke detectors. Explain why beta (β) emitters or gamma (γ) emitters are not used in smoke detectors. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/062504-spec-10-aii-qp.webp)
Q10(b)
The whole paper ↗
All 16 questions on Radioactivity, as a list
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q34 (1 mark): An isotope of radon is radioactive. It decays by emitting an -particle. What happens to the nucleus of a radon atom during the emission of the -particle? A It
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q36 (1 mark): A box is used for storing radioactive sources. What is the best material to use for lining the box to prevent radiation from escaping? A aluminium B lead C pape
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q35 (1 mark): 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 place
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q36 (1 mark): The reading on a detector placed near a radioactive material is 536 counts per second. The background count rate is 44 counts per second. The half-life of the r
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q10(b) (1 mark): Strontium-90 decays by emitting β-particles (beta-particles). Describe the nature of β-particles. [1]
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q10(c) (2 marks): Strontium-90 decays with a half-life of 29 years. A sample contains 16 mg of strontium-90. Calculate the time taken for the strontium-90 to decay until only 2.0
- June 2024, Paper 4, Q8(a)(i) (3 marks): Complete the equation for this decay. 208 81Tl Pb + β [3]
- June 2024, Paper 4, Q8(a)(ii) (1 mark): The β-emission of thallium-208 is accompanied by γ-emission from the nucleus. Explain why this γ-emission does not affect the numbers in the equation in (a)(i).
- June 2024, Paper 4, Q8(a)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why a nucleus of thallium-208 is unstable. [1]
- June 2024, Paper 4, Q8(b) (3 marks): A sample of thallium-208 is placed in a thick lead container. Fig. 8.1 shows a narrow beam of β-particles and γ-radiation emerging from a small hole in one side
- Specimen, Paper 1, Q38 (1 mark): Which statement about α-particles and β-particles is correct? A α-particles are less ionising than β-particles. B α-particles are more penetrating than β-partic
- Specimen, Paper 2, Q37 (1 mark): The diagram shows emissions from a source passing into the electric field between two charged plates. + + + + + + + + + + source – – – – – – – – – – What is emi
- Specimen, Paper 3, Q11(b) (3 marks): A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 6.0 years. A sample of this isotope has a mass of 12 mg. Calculate the mass of this isotope that remains in the sample
- Specimen, Paper 4, Q10(a)(i) (2 marks): An americium (Am) nucleus decays by the emission of an α-particle into a neptunium (Np) nucleus. Complete the nuclear equation for this decay. 241 Am → 95 [2]
- Specimen, Paper 4, Q10(a)(ii) (1 mark): Americium is used in smoke detectors. Explain why beta (β) emitters or gamma (γ) emitters are not used in smoke detectors. [1]
- Specimen, Paper 4, Q10(b) (3 marks): The half-life of this americium nuclide is 470 years. A sample of this nuclide contains 8.0 × 1014 atoms. After some time, 6.0 × 1014 americium atoms have decay
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