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5.2.4a Half-life

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Question 65

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of the element cobalt. The nuclide notation for a nucleus of cobalt-60 is shown below:

2760Co ^{60}_{27}\text{Co} 2760​Co
a.

Determine the number of protons in one nucleus of cobalt-60.

[1]
b.

Determine the number of neutrons in one nucleus of cobalt-60.

[1]
c.

When a nucleus of cobalt-60 decays, it emits a beta (β\betaβ)-particle and a gamma (γ\gammaγ) ray.

State the nature of:

  • a beta-particle
  • a gamma ray
[2]
d.

A sample contains 2.4 mg2.4\text{ mg}2.4 mg of cobalt-60. The half-life of cobalt-60 is 5.3 years5.3\text{ years}5.3 years.

Calculate the mass of cobalt-60 remaining in the sample after 15.9 years15.9\text{ years}15.9 years.

[3]
Markscheme

5.2.4a Half-life Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /5.2.4a Half-life

144 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.2.4a Half-life. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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