Which of the following statements correctly describes the nature of radioactive decay?
The rate of decay depends on whether the source is in a solid, liquid, or gaseous state.
Radioactive decay is a random process, meaning it is impossible to predict exactly when a specific nucleus will decay.
Cooling a radioactive substance to a very low temperature will slow down or stop its decay.
Storing a radioactive source in a sealed lead container increases its half-life.
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.