Atomic physics
61 past-paper questions on Atomic physics · examined 2020–2025.
20258 questions
35 Each diagram shows the nucleus of an atom. proton key neutron 1 2 3 4 Which diagrams show isotopes of the same element? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4
© UCLES 2025 5054/11/M/J/25 [Turn over 36 A radioactive nucleus X decays to another radioactive nucleus. After a number of decays, a stable nucleus Q is produced. The proton number (atomic number) of X is equal to that of Q. The nucleon number (mass number) of X is four more than that of Q. Which radiations are emitted to produce Q? A two alpha-particles B one alpha-particle and one beta-particle C two alpha-particles and one beta-particle D one alpha-particle and two beta-particles 16
37 The graph shows the results of an experiment to measure the count rate of a radioactive isotope. 1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 count rate counts / minute time / minutes What is the half-life of the isotope? A 60 minutes B 80 minutes C 100 minutes D 160 minutes
© UCLES 2025 5054/11/O/N/25 [Turn over 37 A smoke alarm contains a radioactive source, S. The useful emissions from S are blocked by a few centimetres of air. What is the useful radioactive radiation emitted by S? A alpha and gamma B alpha only C beta and gamma D beta only 16
© UCLES 2025 5054/11/M/J/25 38 During fission, a nucleus of uranium-235 (U-235) absorbs one neutron to produce two daughter nuclei and three neutrons. Krypton-92 (Kr-92) is one of the daughter nuclei and it contains 92 nucleons. How many nucleons does the other daughter nucleus contain? A 92 B 141 C 144 D 327 17
© UCLES 2025 5054/12/M/J/25 9 Which row shows an advantage and a disadvantage of using nuclear fuel to generate electrical power? advantage disadvantage A does not produce carbon dioxide produces radioactive waste B does not produce carbon dioxide only works in some weather conditions C energy source is renewable produces radioactive waste D energy source is renewable only works in some weather conditions 5
37 Which nuclide is produced when thorium-223, Th, 90 emits an alpha-particle? A Ra 219 B U 219 C Ra 227 D U 227
38 An isotope has a half-life of 6000 years. How much time passes before the count rate due to emissions from a sample of the isotope decreases to 16 1 of the initial value? A 6000 years B 18 000 years C 24 000 years D 96 000 years
You're viewing 8 of 61 questions
Free members see the first 8. Join Learning DEN Pro to unlock all 61 questions on this chapter — plus AI topical search, downloadable topical PDF packs, and examiner marking on any answer. From $9/month.
Don't just read the solution — get your own answer marked
Write your answer to any Physics past-paper question, photograph it, and Learning DEN marks it like a real examiner — marks awarded, where you lost them, and your predicted grade. 3 free gradings to start.