Two isotopes of iodine are 53125I^{125}_{53}\text{I}53125I and 53131I^{131}_{53}\text{I}53131I.
Determine, for these two isotopes, the difference between the constituents of the nuclei.
A 53131I^{131}_{53}\text{I}53131I nuclide undergoes beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−) decay to form a xenon nuclide.
State the nucleon number of the xenon nuclide.
A 53125I^{125}_{53}\text{I}53125I nuclide decays by electron capture to form a tellurium nuclide.
State two differences between the constituents of the iodine nucleus and the tellurium nucleus it decays into.
Internal conversion is a process in which a nucleus in an excited state can release its excess energy. In internal conversion all of the excess energy is transferred from the nucleus to an orbital electron through the electromagnetic force. This orbital electron is ejected from the atom.
The tellurium nucleus formed in the decay of iodine-125 is in an excited state and can undergo internal conversion.
Discuss three differences between internal conversion and beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−) decay.
128 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Radioactivity (A-level only), covering Rutherford scattering (A-level only), $\alpha$ , $\beta$ and $\gamma$ radiation (A-level only), Radioactive decay (A-level only), Nuclear instability (A-level only), Nuclear radius (A-level only), Mass and energy (A-level only), Induced fission (A-level only), and Safety aspects (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.