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5.2.4a Half-life

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Question 41

A vial contains a sample of a radioactive solution. The half-life of the radioactive substance is known to be 15 hours15\text{ hours}15 hours. It decays by β\betaβ-particle emission.

A radiation detector, held close to the solution, records a count rate of 1200 counts/min1200\text{ counts/min}1200 counts/min, after subtraction of the background count rate.

A time of 15 hours15\text{ hours}15 hours is allowed to elapse after recording the 1200 counts/min1200\text{ counts/min}1200 counts/min count rate. A new count rate is then taken.

a.

Calculate the new count rate due to the radioactive solution.

[2]
b.

How many radioactive atoms of the original type remain in the sample after the 15 hours15\text{ hours}15 hours have elapsed? Choose one option:

  • no atoms are left
  • the same as at the start
  • half the number at the start
  • twice the number at the start
[1]
c.

How many atoms in total remain in the sample after 15 hours15\text{ hours}15 hours has elapsed? Choose one option:

  • no atoms are left
  • the same as at the start
  • half the number at the start
  • twice the number at the start
[1]
d.

The sample contains sodium-24 (1124Na^{24}_{11}\text{Na}1124​Na).

For one atom of 1124Na^{24}_{11}\text{Na}1124​Na, state:

its nucleon number,

[1]
e.

its proton number,

[1]
f.

its number of neutrons.

[1]
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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