Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Atoms, nuclei and radiation

Atoms, nuclei and radiation — practice question

(a)

The nuclide $^{23}_{12}\text{Mg}$, which is an isotope of magnesium, undergoes $\beta^{+}$ decay to make a new nuclide $X$ in the equation $^{23}_{12}\text{Mg} \rightarrow \; ^{\; }_{\; }X + ^{\; }_{\; }\beta^{+} + ^{0}_{0}\nu$. There are four missing numbers in this equation.

(a(i))[2]

For the nuclide $^{23}_{12}\text{Mg}$, state what each of the numbers 23 and 12 means. 23 means: 12 means:

(a(ii))[2]

Fill in the missing numbers in the equation.

(a(iii))[1]

State the class of fundamental particles that the positron and neutrino both belong to.

(b)[1]

A radioactive source releases particles from its nuclei as it decays. Fig. 8.1 shows how the number of emitted particles varies with kinetic energy for the source. State how Fig. 8.1 shows that these nuclei do not undergo beta-decay.

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