The three types of emission
5.2.2What the syllabus asks of you
- Describe the emission of radiation from a nucleus as spontaneous and random in direction
- Describe α-particles as two protons and two neutrons (helium nuclei), β-particles as high-speed electrons from the nucleus and γ-radiation as high-frequency electromagnetic waves
- State, for α-particles, β-particles and γ-radiation: (a) their relative ionising effects (b) their relative penetrating powers
- Describe the deflection of α-particles, β-particles and γ-radiation in electric fields and magnetic fields
Read the notes first
Chapter 5: The three types of emission
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Every question on The three types of emission, untimed, marked as you go.
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Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
22 questions
1Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q36Show mark scheme →
Aa horizontal magnetic field directed out of the page
Ba horizontal magnetic field directed into the page
Ca horizontal electric field directed to the left
Da horizontal electric field directed to the right
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2Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aalpha-particles (α-particles), beta-particles (β-particles) and gamma radiation (γ-radiation)
Balpha-particles (α-particles) and beta-particles (β-particles) only
Calpha-particles (α-particles) and gamma radiation (γ-radiation) only
Dbeta-particles (β-particles) and gamma radiation (γ-radiation) only
Mark scheme
3May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Atowards the top of the page
Btowards the bottom of the page
Cinto the page
Dout of the page
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4May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q36Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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5Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q37Show mark scheme →
Aalpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays
Balpha particles and beta particles only
Calpha particles and gamma rays only
Dbeta particles and gamma rays only
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6May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aalpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays
Balpha particles and beta particles only
Cgamma rays only
DX-rays and gamma rays
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7Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q36Show mark scheme →
Aweaker ionising effect: α, weaker penetrating power: α
Bweaker ionising effect: α, weaker penetrating power: β
Cweaker ionising effect: β, weaker penetrating power: α
Dweaker ionising effect: β, weaker penetrating power: β
Mark scheme
8Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q37Show mark scheme →
A1 and 4
B1 and 6
C2 and 5
D3 and 6
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9May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q36Show mark scheme →
Aalpha-particles and beta-particles only
Balpha-particles only
Cbeta-particles and gamma radiation only
Dgamma radiation only
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10Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AThey are all completely absorbed by a thin aluminium sheet.
BThey are all deflected by electric fields.
CThey are all deflected by magnetic fields.
DThey all cause ionisation of gases.
Mark scheme
11Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q37Also set in Oct / Nov 2022 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Ahelium nuclei: alpha; electromagnetic waves: gamma; electrons: beta
Bhelium nuclei: beta; electromagnetic waves: gamma; electrons: alpha
Chelium nuclei: gamma; electromagnetic waves: alpha; electrons: beta
Dhelium nuclei: gamma; electromagnetic waves: beta; electrons: alpha
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12Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AP only
BR only
CP and Q
DQ and R
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13May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Atwo electrons and four neutrons only
Btwo protons and two neutrons only
Ctwo protons and four neutrons only
Dtwo protons, two electrons and two neutrons
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14Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 11 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aalpha and beta radiation
Balpha and gamma radiation
Calpha, beta and gamma radiation
Dbeta and gamma radiation
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15May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Acharge $q$, mass $2m$
Bcharge $2q$, mass $2m$
Ccharge $2q$, mass $4m$
Dcharge $4q$, mass $2m$
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16Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q37Also set in Oct / Nov 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Afast-moving protons
Bhelium nuclei
Cmicrowaves
Dradio waves
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17May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q37Show mark scheme →
Aalpha only
Bbeta only
Cgamma only
Dalpha and beta
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18Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 11 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aalpha-particles and gamma rays
Bmicrowaves and infra-red
Cradio waves and microwaves
Dultra-violet and X-rays
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19Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Amagnetic field diagram: α deflected up, β straight, γ deflected down
Bmagnetic field diagram: α deflected up, γ straight, β deflected down
Cmagnetic field diagram: β deflected up, γ straight, α deflected down
Dmagnetic field diagram: γ deflected up, α straight, β deflected down
Mark scheme
20Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Abeta and gamma
Bmicrowaves and infra-red
Cradio waves and microwaves
Dultra-violet and X-rays
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21May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aalpha-particles
Bbeta-particles
Cgamma-rays
DX-rays
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22May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aalpha-particles, beta-particles, gamma-rays
Balpha-particles, gamma-rays, beta-particles
Cbeta-particles, gamma-rays, alpha-particles
Dgamma-rays, beta-particles, alpha-particles
Mark scheme