Lead-210 is a radioactive isotope of lead that emits β\betaβ-particles as it decays. The nuclear equation below shows this decay.
82210Pb→ baX+ −10e \mathrm{^{210}_{82}Pb \rightarrow \,^a_b X + \,^0_{-1}e} 82210Pb→baX+−10eCalculate:
(i) the value of aaa,
a=………………………………… a = \text{\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots} a=…………………………………(ii) the value of bbb.
b=………………………………… b = \text{\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots\dots} b=…………………………………(i) Identify the element from the list below that is produced by this decay:
| Element | Proton number |
|---|---|
| mercury | 80 |
| thallium | 81 |
| lead | 82 |
| bismuth | 83 |
| polonium | 84 |
| astatine | 85 |
| radon | 86 |
(ii) The isotope baX\mathrm{^a_b X}baX is also radioactive and undergoes β\betaβ-decay. State the name of the element that is produced by this decay.
Three nuclei are represented as:
53131P54131Q53132R \mathrm{^{131}_{53}P \quad ^{131}_{54}Q \quad ^{132}_{53}R} 53131P54131Q53132RState and explain which nuclei are isotopes of the same element.
484 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.2 Radioactivity, covering 5.2.1 Background radiation and measuring count rate, 5.2.2a Alpha, beta and gamma emission, 5.2.2b Deflection and ionising effects of nuclear radiation, 5.2.3a Radioactive decay, 5.2.3b Effects of decay on the nucleus and decay equations, 5.2.4a Half-life, 5.2.4b Choosing isotopes for applications, and 5.2.5 Effects of ionising radiation and safety precautions. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.