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Fission and fusion: Edexcel International GCSE Physics questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Physics exam question on Fission and fusion (specification points 7.17–7.26), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,978 questions

  1. Q4(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 markFission and fusion
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  2. Q4(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 markFission and fusion
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  3. Q4(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 markFission and fusion
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  4. Q4(d)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    3 marksFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  5. Q11(a)

    November 2024 · Paper 1

    1 markFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  6. Q2(a)

    June 2024 (R) · Paper 2

    3 marksFission and fusion
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  7. Q2(b)

    June 2024 (R) · Paper 2

    2 marksFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  8. Q9(a)(i)

    November 2023 · Paper 1

    1 markFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  9. Q9(a)(ii)

    November 2023 · Paper 1

    4 marksFission and fusion
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  10. Q1(a)

    November 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marksFission and fusion
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  11. Q1(b)

    November 2023 · Paper 2

    4 marksFission and fusion
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  12. Q5(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marksFission and fusion
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  13. Q5(b)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marksFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  14. Q5(c)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marksFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  15. Q5(d)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 markFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  16. Q5(d)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 markFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  17. Q3(a)

    January 2023 · Paper 2

    1 markFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  18. Q3(b)

    January 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marksFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  19. Q5(a)

    January 2023 (R) · Paper 1

    2 marksFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗

  20. Q5(b)(i)

    January 2023 (R) · Paper 1

    2 marksFission and fusion
    The whole paper ↗
All 61 questions on Fission and fusion, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q4(a) (1 mark): In a nuclear reactor, uranium‑235 nuclei are split to produce daughter nuclei and neutrons. State what else is released in nuclear fission that makes the proces
  2. June 2025, Paper 1, Q4(b) (1 mark): What is the function of the control rods in a nuclear reactor? (1) A absorb excess neutrons B create additional neutrons C fuse neutrons together D split neutro
  3. June 2025, Paper 1, Q4(c) (1 mark): What is the function of the moderator in a nuclear reactor? (1) A change protons into neutrons B change neutrons into protons C slow down neutrons D speed up ne
  4. June 2025, Paper 1, Q4(d)(iii) (3 marks): The diagram shows some parts of a nuclear reactor. shielding coolant out reactor vessel coolant in Explain the role of shielding in a nuclear reactor. (3)
  5. November 2024, Paper 1, Q11(a) (1 mark): Which of these is the main source of energy in stars? (1) A alpha decay B beta decay C nuclear fission D nuclear fusion
  6. June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a) (3 marks): The table gives some statements about nuclear fission, or nuclear fusion, or both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Place ticks () in the table to show which
  7. June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): Nuclear fission reactors use control rods and a moderator. Describe the function of the control rods and the function of the moderator in a nuclear fission reac
  8. November 2023, Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): Give the name of a fuel that could be used in the reactor. (1)
  9. November 2023, Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (4 marks): Energy is released from the fuel in the reactor by nuclear fission. Describe the process of nuclear fission that takes place inside the reactor. (4)
  10. November 2023, Paper 2, Q1(a) (3 marks): Nuclear fusion and nuclear fission release energy from the nuclear stores of atoms. The table gives some statements about nuclear fusion and some statements abo
  11. November 2023, Paper 2, Q1(b) (4 marks): In nuclear fusion, two positively charged nuclei must overcome the effects of the repulsive electrostatic force between them. Explain the two conditions needed
  12. June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(a) (3 marks): Describe how a chain reaction occurs in a nuclear fission reactor. (3)
  13. June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): Describe the role of the control rods in a nuclear fission reactor. (2)
  14. June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(c) (2 marks): Describe how the process of nuclear fission is different from the process of nuclear fusion. (2)
  15. June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(d)(i) (1 mark): Which of these is the name of the nuclear process that is the main energy source for stars? (1) A alpha decay B fission C fusion D gamma decay
  16. June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(d)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason why the nuclear process in stars does not happen at low temperatures and pressures. (1)
  17. January 2023, Paper 2, Q3(a) (1 mark): The reactors at Kori use nuclear fission to generate electricity. The products released during nuclear fission have high energy in their kinetic store. Give a p
  18. January 2023, Paper 2, Q3(b) (2 marks): Give two disadvantages of using nuclear fission to generate electricity. (2) 1 2
  19. January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(a) (2 marks): Describe the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. (2)
  20. January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the nuclear equation for the fusion of hydrogen-3 and hydrogen-2. (2) 1H → 4 3 1H + 2 2He + X
  21. January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Discuss potential safety advantages of a fusion reactor compared with a fission reactor. You should refer to the products of this fusion reaction and to the fis
  22. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5(a) (3 marks): The table gives some statements about different parts of a nuclear reactor. Place ticks () in the boxes to show which statements are about the moderator and wh
  23. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): Describe the role of shielding around a nuclear reactor. (2)
  24. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the number of uranium‑235 atoms in the fuel pellet. (2) number of uranium‑235 atoms =
  25. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the energy released when the nucleus of a single atom of uranium‑235 undergoes fission. (2) energy released = J
  26. January 2022, Paper 2, Q3(a) (1 mark): Which is the best description of nuclear fusion? (1) A large nucleus splitting into two smaller nuclei B nucleus emitting an electromagnetic wave C nucleus rele
  27. January 2022, Paper 2, Q3(b) (2 marks): Two nuclei are close together and stationary. Explain why these nuclei will move apart. (2)
  28. January 2022, Paper 2, Q3(c) (2 marks): Describe the conditions needed for fusion to occur in the core of a star. (2)
  29. January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): Name a fuel used in the reactor of a nuclear power station. (1)
  30. January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q5(c)(ii) (5 marks): These sentences describe the process of nuclear fission. Complete these sentences by writing a suitable word in each blank space. (5) A nucleus absorbs a . The
  31. January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Identify particle X in the nuclear equation. (1)
  32. January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Each fusion reaction releases approximately 3 × 10–12 J of energy. Estimate how many reactions are needed to produce 1 J of energy. Give your answer to 1 signif
  33. January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a)(iii) (3 marks): Explain why this fusion reaction will only happen at high temperature and high pressure. (3)
  34. November 2021, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the nuclear equation by writing the numbers in the boxes. (2)
  35. November 2021, Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why this fission does not cause a chain reaction. (2)
  36. November 2021, Paper 2, Q4(b) (2 marks): Explain the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. (2)
  37. June 2021, Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the particle represented by the balls. (1)
  38. June 2021, Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe what is meant by the term nuclear fission. (2)
  39. June 2021, Paper 1, Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): Describe what is meant by the term chain reaction. (2)
  40. June 2021, Paper 1, Q3(b) (1 mark): The walls of a real nuclear reactor are not made of plastic. Give a suitable material for the walls of a real nuclear reactor. (1)
  41. June 2021, Paper 1, Q3(c) (4 marks): Use words from the box to complete the sentences about the moderator and control rods in a nuclear reactor. (4) absorb ionise neutralise reflect slow boron gran
  42. June 2021, Paper 2, Q6(a) (3 marks): Explain what happens during nuclear fusion. (3)
  43. January 2021, Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Determine how many neutrons are released in this fission process. (1) number of neutrons =
  44. January 2021, Paper 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): The table gives some of the constituents of this nuclear fission. Complete the table by putting one tick (ü) in each row to show whether the constituent is a pa
  45. January 2021, Paper 2, Q2(c) (2 marks): Describe how the neutrons released in this fission process can cause a chain reaction. (2)
  46. January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a) (2 marks): Uranium-235 captures a neutron and undergoes nuclear fission in a chain reaction. The equation shows a possible nuclear fission reaction. 235 0 n → 97 135 92 U
  47. January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b) (3 marks): Describe what is meant by a chain reaction. (3)
  48. November 2020, Paper 1, Q3(b) (3 marks): The process of energy release in the core of a star is different to the process of energy release in a nuclear reactor in a power station. Describe how these pr
  49. November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q2(a) (3 marks): Uranium-235 is an isotope of uranium that can undergo nuclear fission. The table gives some statements about this fission process. Add ticks (✓) to the table to
  50. November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b) (1 mark): State which product of nuclear fission causes the next uranium-235 nucleus to split in the chain reaction. (1)
  51. November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q4(c) (3 marks): Rigel is a main sequence star. A star joins the main sequence when nuclear fusion of hydrogen starts in its core. Describe the process of nuclear fusion in a st
  52. November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Which energy store of the Sun decreases during nuclear fusion? (1) A chemical B kinetic C nuclear D thermal
  53. June 2019, Paper 1, Q9(a) (5 marks): The diagram shows a nuclear reactor. - shielding control rod • coolant out moderator reactor vessel fuel rod • coolant in Each part of the nuclear reactor has a
  54. June 2019, Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. (2)
  55. June 2019, Paper 1, Q9(b)(iii) (1 mark): State a location where nuclear fusion takes place. (1)
  56. June 2019, Paper 1, Q9(b)(iv) (2 marks): Explain why fusion cannot take place at low temperature or low pressure. (2)
  57. June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): State the role of the moderator in a nuclear fission power station. (1)
  58. June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Some of the daughter nuclei produced in nuclear fission are highly radioactive and emit high energy neutrons when they decay. Explain which feature of a nuclear
  59. June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the process of nuclear fusion. (2)
  60. June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): State where nuclear fusion occurs naturally. (1)
  61. June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b)(iii) (3 marks): Generating electricity from nuclear fusion is very difficult as the conditions needed are hard to achieve and maintain. Explain the conditions required for nucl

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