Radioactive decay
5.2.3What the syllabus asks of you
- Know that radioactive decay is a change in an unstable nucleus that can result in the emission of α-particles or β-particles and/or γ-radiation and know that these changes are spontaneous and random
- Use decay equations, using nuclide notation, to show the emission of α-particles, β-particles and γ-radiation
Read the notes first
Chapter 5: Radioactive decay
Drill this topic
Every question on Radioactive decay, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
10 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q36Show mark scheme →
A$^{98}_{42}\text{X}$
B$^{99}_{41}\text{X}$
C$^{99}_{43}\text{X}$
D$^{100}_{42}\text{X}$
Mark scheme
2Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q37Show mark scheme →
A$^{219}_{88}$Ra
B$^{219}_{92}$U
C$^{227}_{88}$Ra
D$^{227}_{92}$U
Mark scheme
3May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q36Show mark scheme →
Atwo alpha-particles
Bone alpha-particle and one beta-particle
Ctwo alpha-particles and one beta-particle
Done alpha-particle and two beta-particles
Mark scheme
4May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q36Show mark scheme →
Adecreases by 2 / decreases by 4
Bdecreases by 4 / decreases by 2
Cincreases by 2 / increases by 4
Dincreases by 4 / increases by 2
Mark scheme
5May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aboth an alpha-particle and a beta-particle
Ban alpha-particle only
Ca beta-particle only
Da neutron
Mark scheme
6Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
A200
B208
C212
D216
Mark scheme
7Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q40Also set in Oct / Nov 2017 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Anucleon number 28, proton number 13
Bnucleon number 31, proton number 14
Cnucleon number 31, proton number 15
Dnucleon number 32, proton number 16
Mark scheme
8May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
AIt decreases by one.
BIt decreases by two.
CIt decreases by four.
DIt does not change.
Mark scheme
9Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
A\(^{234}_{90}\text{Th}\)
B\(^{236}_{90}\text{Th}\)
C\(^{238}_{93}\text{Th}\)
D\(^{239}_{92}\text{Th}\)
Mark scheme
10May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q37Show mark scheme →
A^{237}_{93}Np
B^{237}_{97}Bk
C^{245}_{93}Np
D^{245}_{97}Bk
Mark scheme