The nuclide notation for the radioactive isotope tritium (hydrogen-3) is 13H^{3}_{1}\text{H}13H.
State the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in a neutral atom of tritium, and describe how these particles are arranged within the atom.
Describe how the composition of a neutral atom of tritium (13H^{3}_{1}\text{H}13H) is different from the composition of a neutral atom of helium-3 (23He^{3}_{2}\text{He}23He).
Tritium decays by beta (β−\beta^{-}β−) emission.
State the name of a particle that is identical to a beta-minus particle.
Describe the change that takes place in a tritium nucleus as a beta-minus particle is emitted.
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.
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.