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6.3 Nuclear equations and decay

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Question 10

During one decay of curium-244, the plutonium-240 daughter nucleus is formed in an excited state and then emits gamma radiation.

The two emissions are represented together by

96244Cm→94240Pu+24α+00γ {}^{244}_{96}\mathrm{Cm} \rightarrow {}^{240}_{94}\mathrm{Pu} + {}^{4}_{2}\alpha + {}^{0}_{0}\gamma 96244​Cm→94240​Pu+24​α+00​γ

Show, using separate calculations, that the total mass number and the total charge are unchanged by these emissions.

[2]
Markscheme

6.3 Nuclear equations and decay Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /6.3 Nuclear equations and decay

120 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 6.3 Nuclear equations and decay, covering 6.3.1 Beta-minus and beta-plus decay, 6.3.2 Effects of decay on the nucleus, and 6.3.3 Balancing nuclear equations. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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