Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Radioactive decay

Radioactive decay — practice question

Oxygen-15 $\left(^{15}_{8}\mathrm{O}\right)$ is radioactive and has a half-life of 2.04 minutes. When oxygen-15 decays, positrons are produced. Because of this, oxygen-15 is sometimes used as a tracer in positron emission tomography (PET scanning).
(a)[2]

State the meaning of a tracer.

(b(i))[2]

For the decay of oxygen-15, $^{15}_{8}\mathrm{O} \rightarrow {}^{P}_{Q}X + {}^{R}_{S}\beta^{+} + Z$, where X is the nucleus produced in the decay and Z is another particle. State the values of the integers $P$, $Q$, $R$ and $S$.

(b(ii))[1]

State the identity of particle Z.

(c(i))[1]

Define the activity of a sample.

(c(ii))[2]

Calculate the decay constant of oxygen-15. Include a unit in your answer.

(c(iii))[4]

Determine the rate at which positrons are produced in a sample of oxygen-15 with a mass of $2.85 \times 10^{-6}\,\mathrm{kg}$.

(d(i))[1]

During PET scanning, the particles emitted from the body and picked up outside it are not positrons but a different kind of particle. State the name of the particles that are detected.

(d(ii))[2]

Explain how these particles are formed inside the body.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 15-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: (radioactive) substance put into the body

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