The nuclear atom and particle accelerators: Edexcel International A Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel International A Level Physics exam question on The nuclear atom and particle accelerators (specification points 111–117), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 87 questions on The nuclear atom and particle accelerators, as a list

June 2025, Unit 4, Q1 (1 mark): 213 1 An isotope of astatine has the symbol 85At. Which row of the table shows the number of protons and the number of neutrons in a nucleus of this isotope? Pr
June 2025, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): In large‑angle alpha scattering experiments, alpha particles were directed at a thin metal foil. The alpha particles were then detected at four positions, W, X,
June 2025, Unit 4, Q6 (1 mark): In an electron gun, a current heats a metal filament to release electrons. Which of the following is the name of this process? A beta decay B ionisation C photo
June 2025, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): In high-energy collisions, electrons are used to investigate the structure of nucleons. Which of the following is the reason why the electrons need a very high
June 2025, Unit 4, Q16(a) (6 marks): Explain how these machines use a potential difference to accelerate charged particles. (6)
June 2025, Unit 4, Q16(b)(i) (4 marks): In the linac, a potential difference of 0.40 MV is applied to the tubes. The protons pass through 4 gaps. Show that the speed of the protons is about 2 × 10 7 m
June 2025, Unit 4, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): In the cyclotron, the protons leave the dees when the radius of their path is 29 cm. Deduce whether the speed of the protons as they leave the cyclotron is the
January 2025, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): In alpha particle scattering experiments, alpha particles were directed at very thin gold foil. Some alpha particles were deflected through angles up to 180°. W
January 2025, Unit 4, Q14(a) (2 marks): Explain why electrons are released when there is a current in the filament. (2)
January 2025, Unit 4, Q17(a) (2 marks): Add to the diagram to show the path of the protons as they gain energy in the cyclotron. (2)
January 2025, Unit 4, Q17(b) (3 marks): The frequency f of the alternating potential difference applied to the dees is given by the equation Bq f m 2π where m is the mass of the proton B is the magnet
January 2025, Unit 4, Q17(c) (6 marks): Explain how the cyclotron increases the energy of the protons. You should refer to the alternating potential difference and the magnetic field. (6)
October 2024, Unit 4, Q1 (1 mark): An electron gun produces a beam of electrons in a vacuum tube. The electrons are released from a metal filament using a current. Which of the following causes e
October 2024, Unit 4, Q4 (1 mark): The isotope 86 222 Rn decays by emitting an alpha particle. Which of the following shows the nucleons in the isotope produced by this decay? A 134 neutrons, 84
October 2024, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): Cyclotrons accelerate charged particles to high speeds. Cyclotrons use electric fields and magnetic fields. Which of the following statements is not correct? A
October 2024, Unit 4, Q9 (1 mark): Scientists in the early twentieth century directed beams of alpha particles at thin metal foils. Which of the following conclusions were they able to make from
October 2024, Unit 4, Q16(b)(i) (3 marks): The shaded section of the diagram between X and Y corresponds to the drift tube in a linac. Give one similarity and two differences in the way this section of t
October 2024, Unit 4, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): In the model, the lengths corresponding to drift tubes are constant. Explain why the lengths of the drift tubes in a linac are not constant. (3)
June 2024, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): Cyclotrons use electric fields and magnetic fields to give particles very high energy. Which of the following statements is true for charged particles in cyclot
June 2024, Unit 4, Q7 (1 mark): In the early 1900s, scientists carried out alpha particle scattering experiments. Which of the following statements is not a valid conclusion from their observa
June 2024, Unit 4, Q11(a) (2 marks): Complete the equation for this process. (2) 9 α + 4Be → C + n
June 2024, Unit 4, Q16(b) (6 marks): The diagram shows the start section of a linac and the end section of a linac. electron a.c. supply path drift tube start section electron source end section Ex
June 2024, Unit 4, Q16(c) (3 marks): Explain why high energies are required to investigate the structure of protons. (3)
January 2024, Unit 4, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following is the number of neutrons in a nucleus of 121 51Sb? A 51 B 70 C 121 D 172
January 2024, Unit 4, Q2 (1 mark): What is the process by which electrons are released from a heated filament? A excitation B ionisation C photoelectric emission D thermionic emission
January 2024, Unit 4, Q4 (1 mark): The structure of nucleons can be investigated using high energy electrons. Which of the following is the reason high energies are needed? A to cause annihilatio
January 2024, Unit 4, Q10 (1 mark): The solid line shows the path of an alpha particle as it passes close to a gold nucleus. A B C gold nucleus D A second alpha particle with the same kinetic ener
January 2024, Unit 4, Q14 (5 marks): In the early 20th century, a series of experiments was carried out in which alpha particles were directed at thin metal foils. A simplified version of the appar
January 2024, Unit 4, Q22(b)(i) (4 marks): Explain how the cyclotron produces a beam of high energy particles. You should refer to the alternating potential difference and the magnetic field. (4)
January 2024, Unit 4, Q22(b)(ii) (4 marks): The first cyclotron was made by Lawrence in 1929. This cyclotron was able to produce a beam of protons with a maximum kinetic energy of 80 keV. Calculate the ma
October 2023, Unit 4, Q1 (1 mark): The nucleus of an isotope of osmium (Os) contains 76 protons and 190 neutrons. Which of the following can be used to represent this isotope? A 266 76Os B 190 76
October 2023, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): The tubes of a linear accelerator (linac) get progressively longer along the length of the linac. Which of the following is the reason for this? A The frequency
October 2023, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): Which of the following is not a valid conclusion from Rutherford’s alpha particle scattering experiments? A The nucleus contains most of the mass of the atom. B
June 2023, Unit 4, Q1 (1 mark): In an electron gun, electrons are released from a heated filament. Which of the following is the name of this process? A annihilation B ionisation C photoelectr
June 2023, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): A nucleus of 19 38K emits a β + particle. Which row of the table shows the proton number and nucleon number of the nucleus that is produced? Proton number Nucle
June 2023, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): Scientists use particles with high energy to investigate the structure of nucleons. Which of the following statements is not a reason why particles with high en
June 2023, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): In the early 20th century, scientists carried out alpha particle scattering experiments. Which of the following is not a conclusion from the scientists’ observa
June 2023, Unit 4, Q13(a) (4 marks): The diagram shows a linac. gap particle path a.c. supply source of drift tube charged particles Explain the use of electric fields in a linac. You should refer
June 2023, Unit 4, Q13(b) (2 marks): The diagram shows a cyclotron. source of a.c. supply charged particles gap dees particle path Explain why a magnetic field is applied at right angles to the dee
January 2023, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): A nucleus of element X emits an alpha particle to produce the nucleus 233 91Y. Which of the following is the correct nucleon structure of element X? A 95 proton
January 2023, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): Which of the following statements is not a valid conclusion from alpha particle scattering experiments? A Most of the atom is empty space. B Most of the mass of
January 2023, Unit 4, Q7 (1 mark): Which of the following statements is true for a cyclotron? A A cyclotron can be used to accelerate neutrons. B A cyclotron uses a magnetic field to increase the
January 2023, Unit 4, Q18(b)(i) (4 marks): Explain the advantage of colliding beams of particles. (4)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q2 (1 mark): Which of the following is a valid conclusion from alpha particle scattering experiments? A Atoms contain positive and negative charge distributed evenly. B The
October 2022, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): Which of the following describes why electrons are released from the metal filament during thermionic emission? A The metal filament is heated by an electric cu
October 2022, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): A linac is a particle accelerator. It consists of drift tubes of increasing length with potential differences (p.d.) applied between them. Which of the followin
October 2022, Unit 4, Q15(a) (3 marks): Explain why alpha particles are more suitable for these experiments compared to beta particles or gamma rays. (3)
October 2022, Unit 5, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): Identify particle X. (1)
June 2022, Unit 4, Q6 (1 mark): Electrons can be used to probe the nuclei of atoms. Which of the following best explains this? A Electrons can be accelerated to very high energies. B Electrons
June 2022, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): In a cyclotron, a charged particle is accelerated in a spiral path. spiral path dees Which of the following increases as the radius of the spiral path increases
June 2022, Unit 4, Q13(a) (6 marks): Explain why the distances between consecutive tubes increase in the first section of the linac but are almost equally spaced in the last section of the linac. (
June 2022, Unit 4, Q13(b) (3 marks): In some experiments, a high-energy electron collides with a stationary atom. In other experiments beams of high-energy electrons, travelling in opposite directi
June 2022, Unit 4, Q16(a) (6 marks): State three observations and the corresponding conclusions made from the alpha particle scattering experiment. (6)
January 2022, Unit 4, Q1 (1 mark): 8O is an isotope of oxygen. 17 Which row of the table gives the number of nucleons and the number of neutrons in an atom of 17 8O ? Number of nucleons Number of
January 2022, Unit 4, Q5 (1 mark): Electrons are released from the heated metal filament. Which of the following is the name of this process? A ionisation B photoelectric emission C relativistic
January 2022, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): In the early 20th century experiments were carried out to measure the scattering of alpha particles after striking thin gold foil. Which of the following could
January 2022, Unit 4, Q9 (1 mark): A charged particle is accelerated in a spiral path in a cyclotron. spiral path dees Which of the following changes would increase the amount of energy transferr
January 2022, Unit 4, Q16(a) (2 marks): Explain the process that enables a particle detector to detect charged particles. (2)
October 2021, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): Which of the following statements does not help to explain why electrons can be used to probe the nuclei of atoms? A Electrons can be accelerated to high energi
October 2021, Unit 4, Q13(a) (6 marks): Following these experiments Rutherford said, “It was almost as incredible as if you fired a 15‑inch shell (large missile) at a piece of tissue paper and it came
October 2021, Unit 4, Q13(b) (2 marks): Explain why the thickness of the gold foil had to be very small. (2)
October 2021, Unit 4, Q17(a) (4 marks): The diagram represents a LINAC. SOURCE a.c. supply Explain why this arrangement works with a constant frequency a.c. supply. (4)
June 2021, Unit 4, Q2 (1 mark): In the early 20th century, scattering experiments were carried out by directing high speed alpha particles at thin metal foils. Which of the following could not
June 2021, Unit 4, Q10 (1 mark): The structure of nucleons can be investigated using electrons with high energies. Which of the following is the reason why high energies are required? A to allo
January 2021, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): In 2016 the element oganesson was added to the periodic table. One isotope of oganesson has the symbol 118 294Og. Which row of the table shows the number of pro
January 2021, Unit 4, Q15(a) (6 marks): Explain the role of electric and magnetic fields in the production of high-speed charged particles by a cyclotron. (6)
January 2021, Unit 4, Q15(b) (4 marks): The cyclotron could produce beams of alpha particles with kinetic energy up to 16 MeV. Calculate the magnetic flux density required by the cyclotron when alpha
January 2021, Unit 4, Q18(a) (5 marks): The diagram represents an alpha particle reflected back through 180° as it approached the nucleus of a gold atom. path of alpha particle nucleus of gold atom Ca
January 2021, Unit 4, Q18(b) (4 marks): The diagram represents the path of an alpha particle with the same initial speed as in (a) that is deflected through a smaller angle. path of alpha particle nuc
January 2021, Unit 6, Q3(a) (2 marks): Explain why a graph of log r against log A can be used to determine a value for n. (2)
January 2021, Unit 6, Q3(b)(i) (6 marks): Plot a graph of log r against log A on the grid. Use the additional columns in the table to record your processed data. You should not convert the values of r t
January 2021, Unit 6, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Use your graph to determine the value of n. (2) n =
January 2021, Unit 6, Q3(b)(iii) (3 marks): Determine the value of r0 and hence state the mathematical relationship between r and A. (3)
October 2020, Unit 4, Q14(a) (2 marks): In 1911 Rutherford concluded that the atom has a central charge contained in a very small volume. Explain how the results of the experiment led to this conclusi
October 2020, Unit 4, Q14(b) (4 marks): Rutherford wrote, “The main deductions from the theory are independent of whether the central charge is positive or negative.” Discuss why the observations did
October 2020, Unit 4, Q17(a) (1 mark): The radon atoms do not leave tracks. State a reason for this. (1)
October 2020, Unit 4, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the nuclear equation for this sequence of decays. (2) 220 Rn → 82 Pb + α
October 2020, Unit 4, Q18(a) (2 marks): The electrons used in the linac are produced by the filament in an electron gun, as shown in the diagram. filament anode low p.d. – + high p.d. Name and describ
October 2020, Unit 4, Q18(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the energy of the electron as it emerges. potential difference between adjacent drift tubes = 80 kV (3) Energy of the electron =
October 2020, Unit 4, Q18(b)(ii) (2 marks): For very high energy electrons, successive drift tubes have the same length. Explain why. (2)
October 2020, Unit 5, Q18(b)(i) (1 mark): State how ions of this energy could be produced. (1)
January 2020, Unit 4, Q10 (1 mark): In an electron deflection tube, electrons are released by passing a current through a metal filament. What is the name of the process that releases the electron
January 2020, Unit 4, Q11 (3 marks): A section from the periodic table is shown. Element symbol Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Atomic number 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 Technetium (Tc) is produced when a deuterium
January 2020, Unit 4, Q15(a) (1 mark): State why the alpha source and gold foil were contained in a vacuum. (1)
January 2020, Unit 4, Q15(b) (6 marks): At that time, one model for the structure of atoms was the plum pudding model proposed by J J Thompson. In this model, the positive charge and mass were spread
January 2020, Unit 4, Q19(a)(ii) (4 marks): In Lawrence’s cyclotron, an alternating potential difference was used to accelerate particles to high energies. Explain the significance of the expression obtai
January 2020, Unit 4, Q19(c) (3 marks): Explain why high energy particles are required to investigate the structure of nucleons. (3)

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