plumiScattering and the nuclear atom: OCR A‑Level Physics B questions
OCR A-Level Physics B past-paper questions on 6.2.1.2 Scattering and the nuclear atom, 2016–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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All 20 questions on Scattering and the nuclear atom, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q25 (1 mark): An alpha particle approaches a large nucleus head-on. It comes to a halt before reaching the nucleus, and it is then deflected backwards. Which row shows the fa
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q5(a) (3 marks): Describe and explain how the deflection angle of an alpha particle of the same energy with a smaller aiming error compares to the angle θ shown in Fig. 5.1. [3]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the distance of nearest approach of the alpha particle to the silver nucleus. distance = m [2]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): State why this value gives a maximum radius for the silver nucleus. [1]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q5(c) (6 marks): Fig. 5.1 represents the path of an alpha particle that passes near a positively charged nucleus. θ is the deflection angle. Fig. 5.1 alpha particle θ x nucleus
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): Which value is the best estimate of the ratio nuclear diameter 8 atomic diameter 10–2 A 10–5 B 10–8 C 10–11 D Your answer [1]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q33(c) (1 mark): Suggest why particles are accelerated to very high energies in nuclear scattering experiments. [1]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q35(a) (2 marks): The kinetic energy of the particle when it is far from the nucleus is 8.0 × 10–13 J. At point A, the point of closest approach to the nucleus, the kinetic energ
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): The diagram shows the path of an alpha particle of energy E deflecting near a nucleus. alpha particle θ x nucleus Which change will reduce the deflection angle
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): A proton is accelerated through 12.4 kV and makes a direct collision with a silver (107 47Ag) nucleus. What is the closest distance the proton can approach the
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q29 (1 mark): The diagram shows the path of two alpha particles, each of initial kinetic energy 4.0 MeV, as they are scattered by a gold nucleus. X 2d 2 1 gold nucleus d Alph
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q33(a) (1 mark): State one effect of the repulsive force F on the motion of the alpha particle at position α1. [1]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q33(b) (1 mark): At the position α2 the alpha particle is as close as it can get to the nucleus. State what has happened to the original kinetic energy of the alpha particle. [1
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q33(c)(i) (1 mark): What combination of alpha particle kinetic energy and proton number Z of the target nucleus will result in the closest possible approach? Place a tick in the co
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q33(c)(ii) (2 marks): A 7.7 MeV alpha particle makes a head-on collision with an aluminium nucleus 2 7 3 Al . 1 Calculate the distance of closest approach between the centres of the
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): An α particle approaches an atomic nucleus and is scattered through angle θ. The path of the particle is offset as shown. θ offset distance from head-on nuclear
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (3 marks): Explain why such scattering experiments are carried out in a vacuum. [3]
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (3 marks): We can assume that the alpha particles come to rest for an instant at the point where the electrical potential energy of the particle is equal to the kinetic en
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (4 marks): Calculate the angle of the diffraction minimum for a beam of electrons accelerated through 1.5 × 108 V scattered from a nucleus of diameter 3.0 × 10–14 m. For r
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(c) (4 marks): Electron scattering experiments show that the radius r of a nucleus of nucleon number A is 3 proportional to A . This relationship suggests that the radius of a
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