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5.2 Radioactivity

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Question 195

The count rate from a radioactive isotope is recorded every minute. The count rate is corrected for background radiation.

The table shows the readings:

time / minutes012345corrected count rate / counts/s1200980810660540450 \begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|} \hline \text{time / minutes} & 0 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 \\ \hline \text{corrected count rate / counts/s} & 1200 & 980 & 810 & 660 & 540 & 450 \\ \hline \end{array} time / minutescorrected count rate / counts/s​01200​1980​2810​3660​4540​5450​​

What estimate of the half-life of the isotope can be obtained from the readings in the table?

A

between 1 and 2 minutes

B

between 2 and 3 minutes

C

between 3 and 4 minutes

D

between 4 and 5 minutes

Markscheme

5.2 Radioactivity Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /5.2 Radioactivity

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.

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