Atoms, nuclei and radiation
11.1What the syllabus asks of you
- infer from the results of the α-particle scattering experiment the existence and small size of the nucleus
- describe a simple model for the nuclear atom to include protons, neutrons and orbital electrons
- distinguish between nucleon number and proton number
- understand that isotopes are forms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei
- understand and use the notation with nucleon number A and proton number Z written beside the symbol X for the representation of nuclides
- understand that nucleon number and charge are conserved in nuclear processes
- describe the composition, mass and charge of α-, β- and γ-radiations (both β– (electrons) and β+ (positrons) are included)
- understand that an antiparticle has the same mass but opposite charge to the corresponding particle, and that a positron is the antiparticle of an electron
- state that (electron) antineutrinos are produced during β– decay and (electron) neutrinos are produced during β+ decay
- understand that α-particles have discrete energies but that β-particles have a continuous range of energies because (anti)neutrinos are emitted in β-decay
- represent α- and β-decay by a radioactive decay equation of the form ²³⁸₉₂U → ²³⁴₉₀Th + ⁴₂α
- use the unified atomic mass unit (u) as a unit of mass
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Chapter 11: Atoms, nuclei and radiation
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117 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A^{10}_{5}B
B^{11}_{5}B
C^{10}_{6}C
D^{11}_{6}C
Mark scheme
2May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aelectron and antineutrino
Belectron and neutrino
Cpositron and antineutrino
Dpositron and neutrino
Mark scheme
3May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aα, α, β–, β–
Bβ–, β–, α
Cα, α, α, α
Dβ–, β–, β–
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4May / June 2026 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Apositron ✓, electron ✗, proton ✗, neutron ✓
Bpositron ✗, electron ✓, proton ✓, neutron ✗
Cpositron ✗, electron ✓, proton ✗, neutron ✓
Dpositron ✓, electron ✗, proton ✓, neutron ✗
Mark scheme
5May / June 2026 · Paper 13 · Q40Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: arrow from X at (Z=94, N=144) to (Z=92, N=140)
BGraph B: arrow from (Z=90, N=142) to X at (Z=94, N=144)
CGraph C: arrow from X at (Z=94, N=144) to (Z=92, N=142)
DGraph D: arrow from X at (Z=94, N=144) to (Z=95, N=143)
Mark scheme
6May / June 2026 · Paper 14 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AThe diameter of the nucleus is very small compared to the diameter of the atom.
BThe majority of the mass of the atom is concentrated in the nucleus.
CThe nucleus of the atom contains protons and neutrons.
DThe nucleus of the atom is charged.
Mark scheme
7May / June 2026 · Paper 14 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aelectron
Bneutron
Cnucleon
Dproton
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8Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
A225/88 Ra
B231/88 Ra
C225/90 Th
D229/90 Th
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9Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aprotons 94, neutrons 145, electrons 93
Bprotons 94, neutrons 145, electrons 95
Cprotons 238, neutrons 94, electrons 239
Dprotons 239, neutrons 94, electrons 238
Mark scheme
10Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aan antineutrino
Ban electron
Ca neutron
Da neutrino
Mark scheme
11Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
A8 α-particles, 6 β⁻ particles
B8 α-particles, 10 β⁻ particles
C16 α-particles, 6 β⁻ particles
D16 α-particles, 22 β⁻ particles
Mark scheme
12Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 13 · Q38Show mark scheme →
A225/88 Ra
B231/88 Ra
C225/90 Th
D229/90 Th
Mark scheme
13Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aprotons 94, neutrons 145, electrons 93
Bprotons 94, neutrons 145, electrons 95
Cprotons 238, neutrons 94, electrons 239
Dprotons 239, neutrons 94, electrons 238
Mark scheme
14Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 14 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aneutron → proton + electron + electron antineutrino
Bneutron → proton + electron + electron neutrino
Cproton → neutron + positron + electron antineutrino
Dproton → neutron + positron + electron neutrino
Mark scheme
15Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 14 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A126
B128
C130
D210
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16May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
ABeta-particles have a much smaller mass than alpha-particles which means beta-particles can be emitted with a larger range of velocities.
BOnly alpha-particles experience repulsion from the nucleus which is dependent on the number of protons in the nucleus.
COnly beta-particles are emitted with another lepton and some energy is transferred to the other lepton.
DOnly the energy of alpha-particles is discrete because the composition of alpha-particles is always the same.
Mark scheme
17May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AThey have a different number of neutrons and a different number of electrons.
BThey have a different number of neutrons and the same number of protons.
CThey have the same number of neutrons and a different number of electrons.
DThey have the same number of neutrons and the same number of protons.
Mark scheme
18May / June 2025 · Paper 13 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aantineutrino
Bβ⁻ particle
Cα-particle
Dneutrino
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19May / June 2025 · Paper 13 · Q40Show mark scheme →
AIt is a different isotope of the original element.
BIt is a nuclide of a different element of higher proton number.
CIt is a nuclide of the same element but with different proton number.
DIt is identical to the original nuclide.
Mark scheme
20May / June 2025 · Paper 14 · Q37Show mark scheme →
A235
B325
C327
D329
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21May / June 2025 · Paper 14 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AZ is a nucleus of a different element from W and has a higher nucleon number.
BZ is a nucleus of a different element from W and has a lower nucleon number.
CZ is a nucleus of the same element as W and has a higher nucleon number.
DZ is a nucleus of the same element as W and has a lower nucleon number.
Mark scheme
22Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A7
B8
C9
D10
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23Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aantineutrino
Belectron
Cneutrino
Dneutron
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24Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 13 · Q38Show mark scheme →
A0
B9.11 × 10⁻³¹ kg
C1.66 × 10⁻²⁷ kg
D1.67 × 10⁻²⁷ kg
Mark scheme
25Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 13 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aα-particle, antineutrino
Bβ⁺ particle, antineutrino
Cβ⁻ particle, neutrino
Dβ⁺ particle, neutrino
Mark scheme
26May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q37Show mark scheme →
AThe deuterium atom has twice the number of electrons as the hydrogen atom.
BThe deuterium nucleus has a charge, but the hydrogen nucleus has no charge.
CThe deuterium nucleus has less mass than the hydrogen nucleus.
DThe deuterium nucleus has half the charge per unit mass of the hydrogen nucleus.
Mark scheme
27May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
ASome of the energy released is given to the remaining nucleons in the nucleus.
BSome of the energy released is taken by an emitted antineutrino.
CSome of the energy released is used to create the $\beta^{-}$ particle.
DSome of the energy released is used to create a new nucleon.
Mark scheme
28May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q37Show mark scheme →
AZ – 1 antineutrino
BZ – 1 neutrino
CZ + 1 antineutrino
DZ + 1 neutrino
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29May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A1 $\alpha$-particle, 1 $\beta^-$ particle
B2 $\alpha$-particles, 1 $\beta^-$ particle
C2 $\alpha$-particles, 3 $\beta^-$ particles
D3 $\alpha$-particles, 2 $\beta^-$ particles
Mark scheme
30May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
ANeutrinos are always emitted during $\alpha$-decay.
BThe $\alpha$-particles emitted from a radioactive sample have a continuous range of kinetic energies.
CThe $\beta^-$ particles emitted from a radioactive sample have a continuous range of kinetic energies.
DThe proton number of a nucleus decreases by four when it undergoes $\alpha$-decay.
Mark scheme
31May / June 2024 · Paper 13 · Q38Show mark scheme →
A
B
C
D
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32Feb / March 2024 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A2
B3
C4
D5
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33Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
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34Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A$^{11}_{6}\text{C}$
B$^{9}_{6}\text{C}$
C$^{10}_{5}\text{B}$
D$^{10}_{7}\text{N}$
Mark scheme
35Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
ANeutral atoms of the nuclides have the same number of electrons.
BNuclei of the nuclides have different numbers of protons.
CNuclei of the nuclides have the same number of nucleons.
DNuclei of the nuclides have the same number of neutrons.
Mark scheme
36Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aα → β+ → p
Bα → p → β+
Cp → α → β+
Dp → β+ → α
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37Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 13 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AW and X
BW and Y
CX and Z
DY and Z
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38Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AAn antineutrino is emitted with a β⁻ particle but not with an α-particle.
BAn antineutrino is emitted with an α-particle but not with a β⁻ particle.
CThe α-particles have much more energy than the β⁻ particles.
DThe β⁻ particles have much more energy than the α-particles.
Mark scheme
39May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Amass: –m_p; charge: +e
Bmass: –m_p; charge: –e
Cmass: m_p; charge: +e
Dmass: m_p; charge: –e
Mark scheme
40May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A^{131}_{90}X
B^{219}_{87}X
C^{223}_{82}X
D^{223}_{90}X
Mark scheme
41May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Anuclei of different elements with the same number of neutrons
Bnuclei of different elements with the same number of nucleons
Cnuclei of the same element with different numbers of neutrons
Dnuclei of the same element with different numbers of protons
Mark scheme
42May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A0
B1
C2
D3
Mark scheme
43May / June 2023 · Paper 13 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AP and Q
BP and S
CQ and R
DR and S
Mark scheme
44May / June 2023 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AA neutron changes to a proton in the nucleus and an electron and an antineutrino are emitted.
BA neutron changes to a proton in the nucleus and an electron and a neutrino are emitted.
CA proton changes to a neutron in the nucleus and an electron and an antineutrino are emitted.
DA proton changes to a neutron in the nucleus and an electron and a neutrino are emitted.
Mark scheme
45Feb / March 2023 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AProtons and electrons have equal but opposite charges.
BProtons have a much larger mass than electrons.
CThe nucleus contains most of the mass of the atom.
DThe nucleus of an atom contains protons and neutrons.
Mark scheme
46Feb / March 2023 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AA = 237, Z = 93
BA = 239, Z = 91
CA = 241, Z = 94
DA = 241, Z = 96
Mark scheme
47Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Acharge
Bmomentum
Cnucleon number
Dproton number
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48Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A8 α-particles, 6 β⁻ particles
B8 α-particles, 10 β⁻ particles
C16 α-particles, 6 β⁻ particles
D16 α-particles, 22 β⁻ particles
Mark scheme
49Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AMost of the atom is empty space.
BMost of the mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus.
CThe nucleus contains both protons and neutrons.
DThe nucleus is charged.
Mark scheme
50Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aalpha-particle and helium nucleus
Bantiproton and beta-plus particle
Cbeta-minus particle and electron
Dpositron and proton
Mark scheme
51Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 13 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AA tiny proportion of the alpha-particles are deflected through large angles.
BSlower alpha-particles are deflected through larger angles.
CThe kinetic energies of the deflected alpha-particles are unchanged.
DThe number of alpha-particles deflected depends on the thickness of the foil.
Mark scheme
52Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aantineutrino, Z – 1
Bantineutrino, Z + 1
Cneutrino, Z – 1
Dneutrino, Z + 1
Mark scheme
53May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AThe carbon-14 nuclei have slightly different masses.
BThe emitted β– particles have a range of different masses.
CThe energy released in the decay process is different for each carbon-14 nucleus that decays.
DThe energy released in the decay process is shared between the nitrogen-14 nucleus, a β– particle and an antineutrino.
Mark scheme
54May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AIt is a different element of higher proton number than the original element.
BIt is a different element of lower nucleon number than the original element.
CIt is an isotope of the original element.
DIt is the same element as the original element but with a different proton number.
Mark scheme
55May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AAtoms are mostly empty space.
BMost of the mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus.
CThe nucleus of an atom contains protons.
DThe nucleus of an atom is small compared to the size of an atom.
Mark scheme
56May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AAn uncharged atom of element Q has 24 orbital electrons.
BNuclei G and M are isotopes of the same element.
CWhen E absorbs a neutron and then emits an α-particle, E transforms into M.
DWhen M emits a β⁻ particle, M transforms into Q.
Mark scheme
57May / June 2022 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Anucleon number 223, proton number 87
Bnucleon number 223, proton number 88
Cnucleon number 224, proton number 87
Dnucleon number 225, proton number 86
Mark scheme
58Feb / March 2022 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Amost α-particles have enough energy to pass right through the gold leaf | gold is very dense so a few low energy α-particles bounce back from the gold surface
Bmost α-particles miss all gold atoms | a few α-particles bounce off gold atoms
Cthe gold nucleus is very small so most α-particles miss all nuclei | occasionally the path of an α-particle is close to a nucleus
Dthe positive charge in an atom is not concentrated enough to deflect an α-particle | occasionally an α-particle experiences many small deflections in the same direction
Mark scheme
59Feb / March 2022 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A1 α-particle and 1 β– particle
B1 α-particle and 2 β– particles
C2 α-particles and 1 β– particle
D2 α-particles and 2 β– particles
Mark scheme
60Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aemission of four β– particles
Bemission of four γ-rays
Cemission of one α-particle and two β– particles
Demission of two α-particles and eight β– particles
Mark scheme
61Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AAn antineutrino is also emitted.
BA neutron changes into a proton.
CMass–energy is conserved.
DThe nucleon number is not conserved.
Mark scheme
62Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 13 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Ausing α-particles with greater kinetic energy
Busing a double thickness foil
Cusing a foil made of a metal with fewer protons in its nuclei
Dusing a source emitting more α-particles per unit time
Mark scheme
63Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: N against P, arrow from (91, 139) to (92, 139) then to (93, 143)
BGraph B: N against P, arrow from (90, 142) to (91, 141) then to (93, 143)
CGraph C: N against P, arrow from (93, 143) to (95, 145) then to (96, 143)
DGraph D: N against P, arrow from (91, 141) to (92, 140) then to (93, 143)
Mark scheme
64May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A^{227}_{87}Ac
B^{227}_{89}Ac
C^{231}_{87}Ac
D^{231}_{89}Ac
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65May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AP = 22, Q = 11
BP = 22, Q = 13
CP = 23, Q = 11
DP = 23, Q = 13
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66Feb / March 2021 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A
B
C
D
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67Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AThe nuclei each have the same acceleration when in the same uniform electric field.
BThe nuclei each have the same number of neutrons.
CThe nuclei each have the same number of nucleons.
DUncharged atoms containing the nuclei each have the same number of electrons.
Mark scheme
68Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A^{122}_{56}X
B^{124}_{54}X
C^{126}_{58}X
D^{126}_{59}X
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69Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AProtons and electrons have equal but opposite charges.
BProtons have a much larger mass than electrons.
CThe nucleus contains most of the mass of the atom.
DThe nucleus of an atom contains protons and neutrons.
Mark scheme
70Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AP and Q
BP and S
CQ and R
DR and S
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71May / June 2020 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AThey have different nucleon numbers and different proton numbers.
BThey have different nucleon numbers but the same proton number.
CThey have the same nucleon number and the same proton number.
DThey have the same nucleon number but different proton numbers.
Mark scheme
72May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A1 α, 0 β–
B1 α, 2 β–
C2 α, 0 β–
D2 α, 1 β–
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73May / June 2020 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aα-radiation
Bβ– radiation
Cβ+ radiation
Dγ-rays
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74Feb / March 2020 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A: both alpha-particles deflected away from nucleus
BDiagram B: one alpha-particle deflected, one passing straight
CDiagram C: both alpha-particles deflected towards nucleus
DDiagram D: alpha-particles crossing paths
Mark scheme
75Feb / March 2020 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Ap: β– particle, q: neutron
Bp: β– particle, q: proton
Cp: β+ particle, q: antineutrino
Dp: β+ particle, q: neutrino
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76Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A2
B3
C4
D5
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77Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
A7
B8
C9
D10
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78Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aradioactive nucleus 226/88 Ra, decay α, product nucleus 224/86 Rn
Bradioactive nucleus 238/92 U, decay α, product nucleus 242/94 Pu
Cradioactive nucleus 228/88 Ra, decay β–, product nucleus 228/87 Fr
Dradioactive nucleus 231/90 Th, decay β–, product nucleus 231/91 Pa
Mark scheme
79May / June 2019 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AA tiny proportion of the alpha-particles are deflected through large angles.
BSlower alpha-particles are deflected through larger angles.
CThe kinetic energies of the deflected alpha-particles are unchanged.
DThe number of alpha-particles deflected depends on the thickness of the foil.
Mark scheme
80May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
A2 α-particles and 4 β– particles
B2 α-particles and 4 β+ particles
C3 α-particles and 2 β– particles
D3 α-particles and 2 β+ particles
Mark scheme
81Feb / March 2019 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A0
B1
C2
D3
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82Feb / March 2019 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aproton → neutron + electron + electron antineutrino
Bproton → neutron + electron + electron neutrino
Cproton → neutron + positron + electron antineutrino
Dproton → neutron + positron + electron neutrino
Mark scheme
83Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aproton number –1, nucleon number +1
Bproton number 0, nucleon number –1
Cproton number +1, nucleon number –1
Dproton number +1, nucleon number 0
Mark scheme
84Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aan electron and a neutrino
Ban electron and an antineutrino
Ca positron and a neutrino
Da positron and an antineutrino
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85Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 13 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aone neutron
Btwo electrons
Ctwo neutrons
Dtwo protons
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86Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A\[^{y-1}_{x}\text{Q}\]
B\[^{y}_{x-1}\text{Q}\]
C\[^{y}_{x+1}\text{Q}\]
D\[^{y-1}_{x+1}\text{Q}\]
Mark scheme
87May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aneutron → proton + electron + electron antineutrino
Bneutron → proton + electron + electron neutrino
Cproton → neutron + positron + electron antineutrino
Dproton → neutron + positron + electron neutrino
Mark scheme
88May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AMost of the atom is empty space.
BMost of the mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus.
CThe nucleus contains both protons and neutrons.
DThe nucleus is charged.
Mark scheme
89May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A86, 87, 88
B125, 123, 124
C211, 210, 212
D297, 297, 300
Mark scheme
90May / June 2018 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A\[^{22}_{11}\text{Na}\]
B\[^{22}_{13}\text{Al}\]
C\[^{23}_{11}\text{Na}\]
D\[^{23}_{13}\text{Al}\]
Mark scheme
91Feb / March 2018 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Agraph A
Bgraph B
Cgraph C
Dgraph D
Mark scheme
92Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A214 83
B214 84
C215 83
D216 82
Mark scheme
93Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
A²²⁵₈₈Ra
B²³¹₈₈Ra
C²²⁵₉₀Th
D²²⁹₉₀Th
Mark scheme
94Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aneutron 20 20, proton 17 19, electron 20 20
Bneutron 28 28, proton 23 24, electron 23 24
Cneutron 34 36, proton 29 29, electron 29 28
Dneutron 40 42, proton 32 31, electron 32 32
Mark scheme
95May / June 2017 · Paper 11 · Q38Show mark scheme →
AL M N | R P N
BM P S | R S T
CO P Q | M P S
DR P N | O P Q
Mark scheme
96May / June 2017 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Agraph A
Bgraph B
Cgraph C
Dgraph D
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97May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aα-particle scattering
Bβ– decay
Cconservation of momentum
Ddouble-slit interference
Mark scheme
98May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Anucleon number 235, proton number 91, neutron number 144
Bnucleon number 236, proton number 92, neutron number 144
Cnucleon number 237, proton number 94, neutron number 143
Dnucleon number 238, proton number 95, neutron number 143
Mark scheme
99May / June 2017 · Paper 13 · Q37Show mark scheme →
A6
B8
C10
D16
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100May / June 2017 · Paper 13 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aα-particles emitted from a single radioactive isotope have a continuous distribution of energies.
Bα-particles have less ionising power than β-particles.
CThe charge of an α-particle is +1.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ C.
DThe speeds of α-particles can be as high as 1.5 × 10⁷ m s⁻¹.
Mark scheme
101May / June 2017 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aan antineutrino
Ban electron
Ca neutrino
Da positron
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102Feb / March 2017 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Aα-particles: least ionizing; γ-rays: least penetrating
Bα-particles: least penetrating; γ-rays: most ionizing
Cα-particles: most ionizing; γ-rays: most penetrating
Dα-particles: most penetrating; γ-rays: least ionizing
Mark scheme
103Feb / March 2017 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aa positron and an antineutrino
Ba positron and a neutrino
Can electron and an antineutrino
Dan electron and a neutrino
Mark scheme
104Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aγ-ray: high-speed electron; β– particle: electromagnetic radiation
Bγ-ray: electromagnetic radiation; β– particle: helium-4 nucleus
Cγ-ray: electromagnetic radiation; β– particle: high-speed electron
Dγ-ray: high-speed electron; β– particle: helium-4 nucleus
Mark scheme
105Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 11 · Q40Show mark scheme →
AP and S are identical in all respects.
BP and S are isotopes of the same element.
CS is a different element of lower atomic number.
DS is a different element of reduced mass.
Mark scheme
106Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Anucleon number 41, proton number 19
Bnucleon number 41, proton number 21
Cnucleon number 42, proton number 19
Dnucleon number 42, proton number 21
Mark scheme
107Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 13 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aγ-ray: high-speed electron; β– particle: electromagnetic radiation
Bγ-ray: electromagnetic radiation; β– particle: helium-4 nucleus
Cγ-ray: electromagnetic radiation; β– particle: high-speed electron
Dγ-ray: high-speed electron; β– particle: helium-4 nucleus
Mark scheme
108Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 13 · Q40Show mark scheme →
AP and S are identical in all respects.
BP and S are isotopes of the same element.
CS is a different element of lower atomic number.
DS is a different element of reduced mass.
Mark scheme
109May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q39Show mark scheme →
Aproton → neutron + electron + electron antineutrino
Bproton → neutron + electron + electron neutrino
Cproton → neutron + positron + electron antineutrino
Dproton → neutron + positron + electron neutrino
Mark scheme
110May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q40Show mark scheme →
AA tiny proportion of the alpha-particles are deflected through large angles.
BSlower alpha-particles are deflected through larger angles.
CThe kinetic energies of the deflected alpha-particles are unchanged.
DThe number of alpha-particles deflected depends on the thickness of the foil.
Mark scheme
111May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q38Show mark scheme →
Anucleon number 183, proton number 79
Bnucleon number 183, proton number 77
Cnucleon number 181, proton number 77
Dnucleon number 181, proton number 75
Mark scheme
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Aneutron → proton + positron + antineutrino
Bneutron → proton + positron + neutrino
Cproton → neutron + positron + antineutrino
Dproton → neutron + positron + neutrino
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A$^{13}_{7}\text{N} \rightarrow {}^{13}_{6}\text{C} + \beta^- + \bar{\nu} + \gamma$
B$^{13}_{7}\text{N} \rightarrow {}^{13}_{6}\text{C} + \beta^- + \nu + \gamma$
C$^{13}_{7}\text{N} \rightarrow {}^{13}_{6}\text{C} + \beta^+ + \bar{\nu} + \gamma$
D$^{13}_{7}\text{N} \rightarrow {}^{13}_{6}\text{C} + \beta^+ + \nu + \gamma$
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Aα particles: 1, β⁻ particles: 1
Bα particles: 2, β⁻ particles: 1
Cα particles: 1, β⁻ particles: 2
Dα particles: 2, β⁻ particles: 2
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Aantineutrinos
Bneutrinos
Cantineutrons
Dneutrons
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116Feb / March 2016 · Paper 12 · Q39Show mark scheme →
AP = 22, Q = 11
BP = 22, Q = 13
CP = 23, Q = 11
DP = 23, Q = 13
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117Feb / March 2016 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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