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5.1 The nuclear model of the atom

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Question 2

This question is about atoms and radioactivity.

a.

Complete the descriptions below with the correct names of the subatomic particles.

  • The central nucleus of an atom contains uncharged (i) .................... and positively charged (ii) .................... .
  • A neutral atom has no overall charge because the positive charge of the nucleus is balanced by the negative (iii) .................... orbiting it.
[3]
b.

Atoms of the same element can have different forms. For example, Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 are isotopes. Explain what is meant by the term isotopes.

[2]
c.

α\alphaα-particles, β−\beta^-β−-particles, and γ\gammaγ-rays are three types of radiation emitted from unstable nuclei.

Complete the table by placing one tick (✓\checkmark✓) in each column to associate each property with the correct type of radiation.

positively chargedstopped by a few millimetres of aluminiumleast ionising
α\alphaα-particle
β−\beta^-β−-particle
γ\gammaγ-ray
[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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