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5.2.4a Half-life

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Question 69

The table below lists the measured count rate of a radioactive sample over a period of 18 hours.

Elapsed time t / hoursCount rate / counts/s01200384966009424123001521218150 \begin{array}{|c|c|} \hline \text{Elapsed time } t \text{ / hours} & \text{Count rate / counts/s} \\ \hline 0 & 1200 \\ 3 & 849 \\ 6 & 600 \\ 9 & 424 \\ 12 & 300 \\ 15 & 212 \\ 18 & 150 \\ \hline \end{array} Elapsed time t / hours0369121518​Count rate / counts/s1200849600424300212150​​
a.

Which of the three common types of radioactive emission (α\alphaα, β\betaβ, or γ\gammaγ) has neither mass nor charge? State the region of the atom from which all three emissions originate.

[2]
b.

Using the data provided in the table: Determine the half-life of this radioactive substance.

[2]
c.

Using the data provided in the table: Calculate the time taken for the count rate of this sample to decrease from 800 counts/s800\text{ counts/s}800 counts/s to 200 counts/s200\text{ counts/s}200 counts/s.

[2]
d.

A different sample of the same radioactive substance has an initial count rate of 3200 counts/s3200\text{ counts/s}3200 counts/s. Calculate the time required for its count rate to decrease to 400 counts/s400\text{ counts/s}400 counts/s.

[2]
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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