Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Radioactive decay

Radioactive decay — practice question

(a(i))[1]

Radioactive decay is both random and spontaneous. State the meaning of random.

(a(ii))[1]

Radioactive decay is both random and spontaneous. State the meaning of spontaneous.

(b)

A sample of radioactive substance contains atoms of an unstable nuclide $X$. The activity from the atoms of $X$ is $A$. The change of $\ln A$ with time $t$ is shown in Fig. 12.1.

(b(i))[3]

Use Fig. 12.1 to find the half-life, in minutes, of nuclide X.

(b(ii))[3]

At time $t = 0$, the mass of the atoms of X in the sample is $5.66 \times 10^{-7}\,\text{kg}$. Find the nucleon number of X.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 8-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: It is impossible to predict when a nucleus will decay

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