Nuclear and particle physics

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Question 43
Medium
a.

In the 1800s, the atom was considered to be a fundamental particle. Modern physics shows that this is not correct.

Describe the fundamental particles within an atom of oxygen-18 (818O^{18}_{8}\text{O}818​O). In your answer, state the composition of the hadrons.

[4]
b.

The half-life of lead-210 (82210Pb^{210}_{82}\text{Pb}82210​Pb) is 22.3 years22.3\text{ years}22.3 years (y\text{y}y).

Show that the decay constant λ\lambdaλ for this isotope is about 3.1×10−2 y−13.1 \times 10^{-2}\text{ y}^{-1}3.1×10−2 y−1.

[2]
c.

Lead-210 dating is a technique used to date layers of glacial ice. The activity of lead-210 in a deep ice core sample is 28%28\%28% of the activity found in newly deposited surface snow. Calculate the age in years of this core sample.

[3]
d.

State one assumption made in the calculation in (ii).

[1]

Nuclear and particle physics Questions

  1. A Level
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