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5.2 Radioactivity

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Question 114

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of the element cobalt. The nuclide notation for a nucleus of cobalt-60 is shown below:

2760Co ^{60}_{27}\text{Co} 2760​Co
a.

Determine the number of protons in one nucleus of cobalt-60.

[1]
b.

Determine the number of neutrons in one nucleus of cobalt-60.

[1]
c.

When a nucleus of cobalt-60 decays, it emits a beta (β\betaβ)-particle and a gamma (γ\gammaγ) ray.

State the nature of:

  • a beta-particle
  • a gamma ray
[2]
d.

A sample contains 2.4 mg2.4\text{ mg}2.4 mg of cobalt-60. The half-life of cobalt-60 is 5.3 years5.3\text{ years}5.3 years.

Calculate the mass of cobalt-60 remaining in the sample after 15.9 years15.9\text{ years}15.9 years.

[3]
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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