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5.2 Radioactivity

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Question 124

A nucleus of carbon-14 has the nuclide notation shown.

614C ^{14}_{6}\text{C} 614​C
a.

Determine the number of neutrons in a nucleus of carbon-14.

[1]
b.

State the sign of the charge and its magnitude (in terms of the elementary charge eee) on a nucleus of carbon-14.

[2]
c.

Carbon-14 decays by emitting β\betaβ-particles.

Select the two correct statements about β\betaβ-particles from the list below:

  • β\betaβ-particles are electromagnetic waves.
  • β\betaβ-particles are fast-moving helium nuclei.
  • β\betaβ-particles are fast-moving electrons.
  • β\betaβ-particles can be stopped by a few millimetres of aluminium.
  • β\betaβ-particles are stopped by a single sheet of paper.
[2]
d.

Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5730 years. A sample contains 24 μg24\text{ }\mu\text{g}24 μg of carbon-14.

Calculate the time it takes until only 3.0 μg3.0\text{ }\mu\text{g}3.0 μg of carbon-14 are left in the sample.

[2]
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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