Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Radioactive decay

Radioactive decay — practice question

(a)[2]

State what the term radioactive decay means.

(b)

Fig. 13.1 illustrates how the number $N$ of technetium-101 nuclei in a radioactive sample varies with time $t$.

(b(i))[4]

Use Fig. 13.1 to find the activity, in Bq, of the technetium-101 sample when $t = 14.0$ minutes. Show your working.

(b(ii))[2]

Without finding the half-life of technetium-101, use your answer in (i) to determine the decay constant $\lambda$ for technetium-101.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 8-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Emission of particles/radiation from an unstable nucleus

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