Nuclear and particle physics

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Question 37

Medium

An isotope of lead-212 ( $82212Pb^{212}_{82}\text{Pb}$ ) first decays into an isotope of bismuth-212 ( $83212Bi^{212}_{83}\text{Bi}$ ) and this bismuth isotope then decays into the stable isotope of thallium ( $Tl\text{Tl}$ ).

The figure below shows two arrows on a neutron number $N$ against proton number $Z$ chart to illustrate these two decays.

Decay chart of Neutron number N against Proton number Z

Complete the nuclear decay equations for:

(i) the lead isotope: $……^{212}_{82}\text{Pb} \rightarrow \ \dots\dots\ \text{Bi} + \ ^{0}_{-1}\text{e} + \ \dots\dots$

[2]

(ii) the bismuth isotope: $……^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \rightarrow \ ^{208}_{81}\text{Tl} + \ \dots\dots$

[1]

A pure sample of lead-212 is being produced in a research laboratory.

The half-life of lead-212 is $hours10.6\text{ hours}$ .

(i) Briefly describe and explain an experiment that can be carried out to confirm that alpha radiation is emitted from the bismuth nuclei.

[3]

(ii) The activity of the sample of $82212Pb^{212}_{82}\text{Pb}$ after $hours15.0\text{ hours}$ is $kBq8.0\text{ kBq}$ .

Calculate the initial number of lead-212 nuclei in this sample.

[4]

Nuclear and particle physics

Question 37

Nuclear and particle physics Questions

Nuclear and particle physics

Question 37

Nuclear and particle physics Questions