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5.1 The nuclear model of the atom

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Question 20

The nuclide notation for the radioactive isotope tritium (hydrogen-3) is 13H^{3}_{1}\text{H}13​H.

a.

State the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in a neutral atom of tritium, and describe how these particles are arranged within the atom.

[2]
b.

Describe how the composition of a neutral atom of tritium (13H^{3}_{1}\text{H}13​H) is different from the composition of a neutral atom of helium-3 (23He^{3}_{2}\text{He}23​He).

[2]
c.

Tritium decays by beta (β−\beta^{-}β−) emission.

State the name of a particle that is identical to a beta-minus particle.

[1]
d.

Describe the change that takes place in a tritium nucleus as a beta-minus particle is emitted.

[1]
e.

The half-life of tritium is 12.3 years12.3\text{ years}12.3 years.

A sample of radioactive material contains 2.5 × 1012 atoms of tritium. When it was manufactured, the sample contained 4.0 × 1013 atoms of tritium.

Determine the time that has passed since the sample was manufactured.

[3]
Markscheme

5.1 The nuclear model of the atom Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /5.1 The nuclear model of the atom

284 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.1 The nuclear model of the atom, covering 5.1.1a Structure of the atom and ions, 5.1.1b Alpha-particle scattering, 5.1.2a Composition of the nucleus and isotopes, 5.1.2b Proton number, nucleon number and nuclide notation, and 5.1.2c Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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