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Binding energy, fission and fusion: Edexcel A‑Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Physics exam question on Binding energy, fission and fusion (specification points 164–167), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,540 questions

  1. Q6

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    1 markBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 6: The graph shows how binding energy per nucleon varies with nucleon number for atomic nuclei. The arrows w, x, y and z represent changes in binding energy per nu

  2. Q13(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marksBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 13(a): Describe the extreme conditions inside a fusion reactor. (3)

  3. Q13(b)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marksBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 13(b): The graph shows how the binding energy per nucleon varies with nucleon number for a range of nuclides. 10 9 8 7 6 Binding energy per nucleon 5 / MeV 4 3 2 1 0 0

  4. Q6

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 markBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 6: In a particular radioactive decay, there is a mass decrease equivalent to 0.05 u. Which of the following expressions gives the energy released in MeV? 2 0 05 .

  5. Q13

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    6 marksBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 13: *13 The energy radiated by stars is released by nuclear fusion. Explain the conditions required to bring about and maintain nuclear fusion in stars.

  6. Q20(b)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    5 marksBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 20(b): A uranium nucleus decays to thorium by emission of an alpha particle. It can be assumed that all the energy of the decay is transferred to kinetic energy of the

  7. Q2

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    1 markBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 2: The diagram shows binding energy per nucleon against nucleon number for atomic nuclei. Y X Nucleon number Which line of the table correctly identifies the proce

  8. Q18(a)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    4 marksBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 18(a): In a fusion experiment at CCFE, ions of two isotopes of hydrogen fuse to produce helium ions and fast-moving neutrons. 2H + 1 3H → 2 4He + 0 1n 1 Show that a si

  9. Q18(b)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    2 marksBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 18(b): Fusion occurs naturally in the core of stars. Explain why very high densities of matter and very high temperatures are needed to bring about and maintain nuclea

  10. Q3

    June 2019 · Paper 2

    1 markBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 2, question 3: In both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion there are changes in the binding energy per nucleon. This releases energy. Which row of the table correctly shows the

  11. Q18(b)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    5 marksBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 18(b): Radium-226 decays to radon-222 by alpha emission. Determine the energy released in MeV in the decay of a single nucleus of radium-226. (5) mass of radium-226 nu

  12. Q14(a)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    3 marksBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 14(a): The graph shows how the binding energy per nucleon varies with nucleon number for a range of isotopes. nucleon number Use the binding energy per nucleon curve t

  13. Q14(b)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    3 marksBinding energy, fission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 14(b): Explain the conditions required to bring about and maintain nuclear fusion. (3)
All 13 questions on Binding energy, fission and fusion, as a list
  1. June 2024, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): The graph shows how binding energy per nucleon varies with nucleon number for atomic nuclei. The arrows w, x, y and z represent changes in binding energy per nu
  2. June 2023, Paper 2, Q13(a) (3 marks): Describe the extreme conditions inside a fusion reactor. (3)
  3. June 2023, Paper 2, Q13(b) (3 marks): The graph shows how the binding energy per nucleon varies with nucleon number for a range of nuclides. 10 9 8 7 6 Binding energy per nucleon 5 / MeV 4 3 2 1 0 0
  4. June 2022, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): In a particular radioactive decay, there is a mass decrease equivalent to 0.05 u. Which of the following expressions gives the energy released in MeV? 2 0 05 .
  5. November 2021, Paper 2, Q13 (6 marks): *13 The energy radiated by stars is released by nuclear fusion. Explain the conditions required to bring about and maintain nuclear fusion in stars.
  6. November 2021, Paper 2, Q20(b) (5 marks): A uranium nucleus decays to thorium by emission of an alpha particle. It can be assumed that all the energy of the decay is transferred to kinetic energy of the
  7. October 2020, Paper 2, Q2 (1 mark): The diagram shows binding energy per nucleon against nucleon number for atomic nuclei. Y X Nucleon number Which line of the table correctly identifies the proce
  8. October 2020, Paper 2, Q18(a) (4 marks): In a fusion experiment at CCFE, ions of two isotopes of hydrogen fuse to produce helium ions and fast-moving neutrons. 2H + 1 3H → 2 4He + 0 1n 1 Show that a si
  9. October 2020, Paper 2, Q18(b) (2 marks): Fusion occurs naturally in the core of stars. Explain why very high densities of matter and very high temperatures are needed to bring about and maintain nuclea
  10. June 2019, Paper 2, Q3 (1 mark): In both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion there are changes in the binding energy per nucleon. This releases energy. Which row of the table correctly shows the
  11. June 2018, Paper 2, Q18(b) (5 marks): Radium-226 decays to radon-222 by alpha emission. Determine the energy released in MeV in the decay of a single nucleus of radium-226. (5) mass of radium-226 nu
  12. June 2017, Paper 2, Q14(a) (3 marks): The graph shows how the binding energy per nucleon varies with nucleon number for a range of isotopes. nucleon number Use the binding energy per nucleon curve t
  13. June 2017, Paper 2, Q14(b) (3 marks): Explain the conditions required to bring about and maintain nuclear fusion. (3)

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