Define the half-life of a radioactive source.
A carbon (C\text{C}C) nucleus decays into a nitrogen (N\text{N}N) nucleus by the emission of a β\betaβ-particle.
Complete the nuclear equation for the decay.
614C→ ^{14}_{6}\text{C} \rightarrow 614C→State the change that occurs in the nucleus during this decay.
A different element decays by the emission of an alpha-particle (α\alphaα-particle).
Give two reasons why α\alphaα-particles are more strongly ionising than β\betaβ-particles.
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.