The isotope hydrogen-1 has a proton number of 1 and a nucleon number of 1.
Two isotopes of lithium are lithium-6 and lithium-7.
Lithium-6 has a proton number of 3 and a nucleon number of 6.
Lithium-7 has a nucleon number of 7.
Complete the table below for neutral atoms of these isotopes of lithium.
| lithium-6 | lithium-7 | |
|---|---|---|
| number of neutrons | ||
| number of electrons | ||
| approximate mass compared to a neutral atom of hydrogen-1 |
An experiment takes place in a laboratory shielded from all background radiation. A sample of radioactive material is wrapped in a single sheet of paper. A detector of ionising radiation placed 2 cm from the paper records a reading.
A piece of aluminium of thickness 4 mm is then placed between the detector and the wrapped sample. The detector reading drops to zero.
State and explain which type of radiation is passing through the paper.
170 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.1.2a Composition of the nucleus and isotopes. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.