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5.1.2a Composition of the nucleus and isotopes

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Question 16

Thorium-232 is a radioactive isotope. It undergoes a chain of decays and eventually forms the stable isotope lead-208. These two isotopes are represented as shown.

90232Th82208Pb {}^{232}_{90}\text{Th} \qquad {}^{208}_{82}\text{Pb} 90232​Th82208​Pb

During this chain of decay, how many protons and how many neutrons are lost from a single nucleus of thorium-232 to form a single nucleus of lead-208?

A

8 protons and 16 neutrons

B

8 protons and 24 neutrons

C

16 protons and 8 neutrons

D

24 protons and 8 neutrons

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5.1.2a Composition of the nucleus and isotopes Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /5.1.2a Composition of the nucleus and isotopes

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.

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