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5.2 Radioactivity

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Question 2

Radioactive sources emit α\alphaα-(alpha), β\betaβ-(beta) and γ\gammaγ-(gamma) radiations.

a.

State which of these types of radiation is stopped by a thin sheet of paper.

[1]
b.

Iodine-131 is a radioactive isotope. The nuclide notation for iodine-131 is:

053131I ^{131}_{\phantom{0}53}\text{I} 053131​I

Determine the number of neutrons in a nucleus of iodine-131.

[2]
c.

A radioactive source contains 80 mg80\text{ mg}80 mg of an isotope that has a half-life of 8 days8\text{ days}8 days.

Calculate the mass of the isotope that remains in the source after 24 days24\text{ days}24 days.

[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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