Colonel Frank Seely School

Exampro A-level Physics Name:

(7407/7408) Class:

3.2.1.2 Stable and unstable nuclei

Author:

Date:

Time: 92

Marks: 81

Comments
:

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Q1.A carbon-14 nucleus undergoes β– decay, forming a new nucleus, releasing a β– particle and
one other particle which is difficult to detect.

(a) Write down the proton number and the nucleon number of the new nucleus.

proton number ...............................................................................................

nucleon number .............................................................................................

(b) Name the particle which is difficult to detect.

........................................................................................................................

(c) Name the baryons and leptons involved in the decay.

baryons ...........................................................................................................

leptons .............................................................................................................

(d) Give the quark structure for the neutron and the proton.

neutron ...........................................................................................................

proton .............................................................................................................

Hence state the quark transformation that occurs during β– decay.

........................................................................................................................
(Total 7 marks)

Q2. (a) (i) Determine the charge, in C, of a nucleus.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

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(ii) A positive ion with a nucleus has a charge of 4.80 × 10 C. –19

Determine how many electrons are in this ion.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(4)

(b) A nucleus may decay by emitting two β particles to form a plutonium nucleus
–

. State what X and Y represent and give the numerical value of each.

X ........….......................................................................................………….

......................................................................................................................

Y ........….......................................................................................………….

......................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 8 marks)

Q3. (a) Name the constituent of an atom which

(i) has zero charge,

.............................................................................................................

(ii) has the largest charge to mass ratio,

.............................................................................................................

(iii) when removed leaves a different isotope of the element.

.............................................................................................................
(3)

(b) An α particle is the same as a nucleus of helium, He.

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The equation

Th Ra + α

represents the decay of thorium by the emission of an α particle.

Determine

(i) the values of X and Y, shown in the equation,

X = .....................

Y = .....................

(ii) the ratio

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Q4. (a) An unstable nucleus, , can decay by emitting a β particle. –

(i) What part of the atom is the same as a β particle? –

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) State the changes, if any, in A and Z when X decays.

change in A .........................................................................................

change in Z ..........................................................................................
(2)

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(b) In the process of β decay an anti-neutrino is also released.

–

(i) Give an equation for this decay.

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) State and explain which conservation law may be used to show that it is an
anti-neutrino rather than a neutrino that is released.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)

(iii) What must be done to validate the predictions of an unconfirmed scientific

theory?

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q5. (a) Describe how the strong nuclear force between two nucleons varies with the
separation of the nucleons quoting suitable values for separation.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
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......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(3)

(b) An unstable nucleus can decay by the emission of an alpha particle.

(i) State the nature of an alpha particle.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Complete the equation below to represent the emission of an α particle by a

nucleus.

→ Th + α
(2)

(c) decays in stages by emitting α particles and β particles, eventually forming

–

, a stable isotope of lead.

(i) State what is meant by isotopes.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) If there are eight alpha decays involved in the sequence of decays from
to deduce how many β decays are involved.
–

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 Colonel Frank Seely School
answer = .........................................
(3)
(Total 11 marks)

Q6. A neutral atom of a radium isotope may be represented by .

(a) (i) Name the constituents of this atom and state how many of each are present.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(3)

(ii) Which constituent of an atom has the largest specific charge?

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) This isotope of radium decays by β decay to form an element with symbol,
–

Ac. Write down an equation that represents this decay.

(4)

(b) is a neutral atom of a different isotope of radium. State a possible value for
A and for Z.

A: ..................................................................................................................

Z: ..................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

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Q7. Alpha decay is a process by which an unstable isotope of an element may decay.

(i) State what is meant by isotopes.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Complete this equation for alpha decay.

(2)

(iii) Calculate the specific charge of an alpha particle, stating an appropriate unit.

answer = .....................................
(4)

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(iv) Explain why the alpha particle, once outside the nucleus, is unaffected by the strong
nuclear force.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q8.(a) State one similarity and one difference between an elastic collision and an inelastic
collision.

similarity..........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

difference........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) An unstable isotope of neodymium, , decays into an isotope of cerium, Ce, by

emitting an α particle.

(i) Complete the following decay equation.

(1)

(ii) The α particle is emitted from a stationary nucleus at a speed of

9.3 × 10 m s . Calculate the recoil speed of the daughter nucleus.
6 −1

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recoil speed ........................... ms −1

(2)

(iii) Show that, when a stationary nucleus decays, the kinetic energy of the
recoiling cerium nucleus is only about 3% of the kinetic energy of the emitted α
particle.

(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q9.(a) The table below contains data for four different nuclei, P, Q, R and S.

Number of
Nuclei Nucleon number
neutrons

P 5 11

Q 6 11

R 8 14

S 9 17

(i) Which nucleus contains the fewest protons?

nucleus ..............................................
(1)

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(ii) Which two nuclei are isotopes of the same element?

nuclei ................................. and .................................

(1)

(iii) State and explain which nucleus has the smallest specific charge.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)

(iv) Complete the following equation to represent β decay of nucleus R to form –

nucleus X.

(3)

(b) (i) The strong nuclear force is responsible for keeping the protons and neutrons
bound in a nucleus.
Describe how the strong nuclear force between two nucleons varies with the
separation of the nucleons, quoting suitable values for separation.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

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...............................................................................................................
(3)

(ii) Another significant interaction acts between the protons in the nucleus of an
atom.
Name the interaction and name the exchange particle responsible for the
interaction.

Interaction .............................................................................................

Exchange particle .................................................................................

(2)
(Total 12 marks)

Q10.A radioactive nucleus emits a β . particle then an α particle and finally another β . particle.
– –

The final nuclide is

A an isotope of the original element

the same element with a different proton

B
number

C a new element of higher proton number

D a new element of lower nucleon number

(Total 1 mark)

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M1.(a) 7,14 (1)

(b) (anti) neutrino (1)

(c) proton, neutron (1)

electron, (anti) neutrino (1)

(d) udd (1)

uud (1)
d → u (1)
[7]

M2. (a) (i) (charge) = 92 × 1.60 × 10 –19

= 1.47 × 10 (C) (1)

–17

(ii) (magnitude of ion charge) = 3(e) (1)

number of electrons (= 92 – 3) = 89 (1)
4

(b) X: number of nucleons [or number of neutrons plus protons or

mass number] (1)
239 (1)
Y: number of protons [or atomic number] (1)
94 (1)
4
[8]

M3. (a) (i) neutron (1)

(ii) electron (1)

(iii) neutron (1)

3

(b) (i) (X =) 225 (1)

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(Y =) 88 (1)

(ii) = 56(.3) (1)

(allow C.E. for value of X from (i))

3
[6]

M4. (a) (i) an electron (1)

1

(ii) change in A = 0 (1)

change in Z = +1 (1)
2

(b) (i) (1)

or n → p + e + –

or d → u + e + –

(ii) lepton number must be conserved (1)

lepton number before decay equals zero

hence after decay lepton number of electrons cancels with lepton

number of anti-neutrino or zero on both sides (1)

2

(iii) hypothesis needs to be tested by experiment (1)

experiment must be repeatable (1)

or hypothesis rejected
2

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 Colonel Frank Seely School
[8]

M5. (a) repulsive then attractive (1)

short range (if distance quoted must be of order fm) (1)

correct distance for cross over (accept range 0.1 – 1.0 fm) (1)
3

(b) (i) a helium nucleus (accept 2p and 2n) (1)

1

(ii) (↓92↑238) U → (↓90↑234)Th(+↓2↑4)α (1)

2

(c) (i) same atomic number/proton number (1)

different number of neutrons/nucleons (1)

2

(ii) evidence of subtraction of mass number or atomic number (1)

(thus atomic number decreases to) 76 (1)

(atomic number of lead is 82 therefore) 6 (82 – 76) beta decays (1)

3
[11]

M6. (a) (i) 88 protons (1)

140 neutrons (1)

88 electrons (1)

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3

(ii) electron (1)

1

(iii) (1)(1)(1)(1)
4

(b) 228 ± 10 (1)

88 (1)
2
[10]

M7. (i) same atomic number/number of protons

different mass/nucleon number/different number of neutrons

2

(ii)
2

(iii)

= 4.8 × 10 Ckg
7 –1

(iv) strong nuclear force is short range

no effect at distances larger 3 fm

(except any distance less than 10 fm)
2
[10]

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M8.(a) Similarity: momentum is conserved (in both cases)

Difference: kinetic energy is conserved in an elastic collision but not in an inelastic

collision
For 2 mark allow ke is only conserved in elastic collision,
nd

or ke is not conserved in an inelastic collision.

2

(b) (i) in the Ce nucleus A = 140 Z = 58 and for α A = 4 and Z = 2

All four correct values required
1

(ii) 0 = 140 v – 4 × 9.3 × 10 6

Allow 140 v = 4 × 9.3 × 10 for 1 mark.

6 st

Allow ecf from values in (b)(i).

gives v = 2.6 (6) × 10 (m s )

5 −1

Allow inclusion of mass of 58 electrons in recoil atom when

shown.
2

(iii) E of α = ½ × 4 × 1.66 × 10 × (9.3 × 10 )

k
−27 6 2
(= 2.87 × 10 −13
J)

E of Ce = ½ × 140 × 1.66 × 10 × (2.66 × 10 )

k
−27 5 2
(= 8.22 × 10 −15
J)

= 0.0286 or 2.86%
For 3 mark, answer must be evaluated to at least 2SF (3%
rd

alone is insufficient); note that use of v = 2.7 × 10 m s

d
5 −1

gives 0.0295 or 2.95%.

[or give

s
= 0.0286 or 2.86% ]

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Allow ecf from values in (b)(ii).

[or =

= 0.0286 or 2.86% ]
When ecf is applied, 3 mark is only available for answers
rd

between 2.5% and 3.5%.

3
[8]

M9.(a) (i) Q / boron / B ✓

1

(ii) P and R / R and P ✓

1

(iii) R✓

6 / 14 is smallest fraction / 0.43 smallest ratio / 4.13 × 10 C / kg ✓

7

Cannot get second mark if not awarded first mark

2

(iv)
One mark for each correct symbol on rhs
Ignore −ve sign on e.
Can have neutrino with 0,0 on answer lines
Ignore any subscript on neutrino
3

(b) (i) repulsive below / at 0.5 fm (accept any value less or equal to 1 fm) ✓
attractive up to / at 3 fm (accept any value between 0.5 and 10 fm) ✓
short range OR becomes zero OR no effect ✓
Can get marks from labelled graph
Don't accept negligible for 3 mark
rd

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(ii) interaction: electromagnetic / em ✓

(virtual) photon/ γ ✓
2
[12]

M10.A
[1]

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E1.This question was very well answered and it was pleasing to see that many candidates were
able to recall most of the appropriate information from this relatively new part of the
syllabus.

E2. Although a relatively easy starter question it did achieve a spread of marks. Only the
weakest candidates failed to score in part (a) (i) but almost 50% ended the calculation
when they showed that the magnitude of the charge on the ion corresponded to 3
electrons. The number of electrons in the ion was not determined. In part (b) about 20% of
the candidates failed to state that X and Y respectively represented the number of
nucleons and protons and almost 50% failed to get the correct numerical values.

E3. Part (a) was a very straightforward introduction to the paper and only the weakest
candidates gave wrong answers. A few candidates made errors in part (b) (i) because of
confusion between the nucleon number and proton number in an α particle. An error in
basic physics came to light frequently in part (b) (ii), namely that a number of candidates
attempted to add electron masses to either the nucleus or the α particle.

E4. This question was well answered and candidates seemed confident in their
understanding of beta decay. They were for the most part well aware of the changes that
occur during the decay. The equation for beta decay was only awarded one mark and a
few candidates lost this mark due to careless errors such as missing out the bar on the
anti-neutrino. There were many impressive explanations of why a neutrino was not
produced, providing evidence of a good understanding of the conservation of lepton
number.

Part (b) (iii) assessed candidates understanding of how science works and many
candidates’ responses suggest that they are quite familiar with the concept of validated
evidence.

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E5. Candidates found part (a) quite challenging. The majority recognised that the strong
interaction is repulsive at small distances and attractive at larger distances. However,
many candidates tended to either not give quantitative answers or quoted distances that
were not acceptable. Answers were often muddled making them difficult to interpret.
Although many candidates stated the interaction was short range, it was frequently not
clear what they understood by this. Responses such as ‘the force decreases to a small
value’ were common.

Part (b) was answered much better and the majority of candidates identified the nature of
the alpha particle, completed the equation correctly and explained what is meant by
isotopes. The final part of the question was quite discriminating and it was clear that the
better candidates found the deduction quite straightforward, arriving at a correct answer
with the minimum of working.

E6. This question proved accessible to candidates of all abilities and consequently was
not particularly discriminating. Some candidates did struggle to identify the particle with
the highest specific charge, with a significant minority opting for the proton. The equation
for β was answered well, although it was not uncommon to see an equation representing
changes in quark flavours rather than showing what happened to the nucleus as a whole.
The antineutrino was the most common omission in the equations given.

Part (b) was answered well with the majority of candidates opting for a mass number
between 220 and 230.

E7. This question was more discriminating. The majority of candidates were able to state
what is meant by isotopes. However, less able candidates found it hard to complete the
equation for alpha decay and the calculation for specific charge of the alpha particle also
caused them problems.

A significant number of poor responses were seen to part (iv), these were mainly the
result of the alpha particle being considered in isolation rather than describing the short
range of the strong interaction and linking this to the effect of the nucleus, Y, on the alpha
particle.

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E8.In part (a) the expected responses were references to the conservation of momentum and to
whether kinetic energy was conserved in the two types of collision. The facts were
generally well known and answers were well rewarded. It was essential to refer to kinetic
energy when writing about the difference. Most candidates also completed the α decay
equation correctly in part (b). When errors were made in part (b)(i), marks were still
available in part (b)(ii) by correct use of the nucleon number values written down in part
(b)(i). A common error here was use of 144 for the nucleon number of the daughter
nucleus. This was regarded as a physics error and so no marks could be credited for part
(b)(ii).

There was a large number of possible routes to a successful answer in part (b)(iii), where
a ratio of kinetic energies was required. For all three marks to be awarded the final
evaluation of the percentage had to be worked out to at least two significant figures, so
that it had been shown to be not exactly 3%. A few candidates quoted the ratio of the
speed of the nucleus to the speed of the α particle as the final answer. This ratio turns out
to be correct, but full marks were only awarded when the ratio was shown to be the ratio
of kinetic energies.

E9.Performance in this question was quite mixed.

As might be expected the first two parts of (a) on isotopes were answered well. This was
not the case with part (a) (iii) however, and less than 20% of candidates were able to
score both marks. A significant proportion did identify correctly the nucleus with the
smallest specific charge but were not they able to explain their choice convincingly. More
able candidates appreciated that the ratio of protons to nucleons was the important factor
and this needed to be considered. Completing the equation in part (a)(iv) was done much
better and a pleasing proportion of candidates obtained full marks for this.

Descriptions of the strong nuclear force required in part (b) tended to be little vague and
less able candidates tended to mix up the strong nuclear force with the electromagnetic
interaction between charges. The majority of candidates appreciated that the strong
nuclear force was repulsive and then attractive but a significant proportion of candidates
failed to obtain the third mark because they did not clearly state that the strong nuclear
force was short range and beyond this range it had no effect. Part (b) (ii) caused more
problems than expected and less than 50% of candidates scored both marks. In a
significant proportion of scripts the weak interaction was referred to instead of the
electromagnetic interaction. It was also quite common to see electrostatic in place of
electromagnetic.

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