An α\alphaα-particle may be represented by the symbol 24He\phantom{}_{2}^{4}\text{He}24He.
What does the He\text{He}He indicate about an α\alphaα-particle?
What does the number 444 indicate about an α\alphaα-particle?
What does the number 222 indicate about an α\alphaα-particle?
The nuclide 92238U\phantom{}_{92}^{238}\text{U}92238U decays by emitting an α\alphaα-particle to form Thorium (Th\text{Th}Th).
Complete the nuclear equation for this decay by determining the values of AAA and ZZZ:
92238U→ZATh+24He \phantom{}_{92}^{238}\text{U} \rightarrow \phantom{}_{Z}^{A}\text{Th} + \phantom{}_{2}^{4}\text{He} 92238U→ZATh+24He484 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.