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Radioactivity

Radioactivity

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12
Question 1

A radioactive sample contains a mixture of two isotopes, P P\,P and QQQ.

  • Isotope P P\,P decays by emitting α \alpha\,α particles and has a half-life of 6.0 hours6.0\text{ hours}6.0 hours. Its initial activity is 8.0×106 Bq8.0 \times 10^6\text{ Bq}8.0×106 Bq.
  • Isotope Q Q\,Q decays by emitting β−\beta^-β− particles and has a half-life of 12.0 hours12.0\text{ hours}12.0 hours. Its initial activity is 2.4×106 Bq2.4 \times 10^6\text{ Bq}2.4×106 Bq.

Assuming all emitted particles escape the sample, what is the net rate at which electric charge leaves the sample due to these decays after exactly 24.0 hours24.0\text{ hours}24.0 hours?

A

1.6×10−13 A1.6 \times 10^{-13}\text{ A}1.6×10−13 A

B

2.6×10−13 A2.6 \times 10^{-13}\text{ A}2.6×10−13 A

C

6.4×10−14 A6.4 \times 10^{-14}\text{ A}6.4×10−14 A

D

1.6×10−14 A1.6 \times 10^{-14}\text{ A}1.6×10−14 A

Markscheme

Radioactivity Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Radioactivity

65 exam-style questions on Edexcel IGCSE Physics Radioactivity. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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