Two of the isotopes of helium are helium-3 (23He^{3}_{2}\text{He}23He) and helium-4 (24He^{4}_{2}\text{He}24He).
State one similarity in the composition of their nuclei.
Describe how a nucleus of helium-4 differs from a nucleus of helium-3.
In a nuclear fusion reaction, a nucleus of helium-3 fuses with another nucleus of helium-3 at extremely high temperatures. This fusion reaction produces a nucleus of element Y\text{Y}Y and two protons (11H^{1}_{1}\text{H}11H).
Explain why an extremely high temperature is needed when forcing these two nuclei together.
Using nuclide notation, complete the equation for this reaction:
23He+ 23He→+2 11H ^{3}_{2}\text{He} + \,^{3}_{2}\text{He} \rightarrow \text{\quad\quad\quad} + 2\,^{1}_{1}\text{H} 23He+23He→+211H170 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.