17 Worksheet (AS)

1 The nuclide U
238
92
decays by emitting -particles and -particles in a series of decays to form
206
82
b! "ight -particles are emitted in the se#uence! $o% many -particles are emitted& '()
A 6
B 8
C (0
D (2
2 *n isotope of uranium+ %ith proton number 92 and nucleon number 23,+ emits a series of
-particles and -particles! -hat is the proton number and nucleon number after fi.e
-particles and t%o -particles are emitted& '()
Proton number Nucleon number
A 80 2(,
B 82 2(3
C 8/ 2(,
D 86 226
3 -hat can be assumed to be the ma0imum range of an -particle in air& '()
A a fe% millimetres
B a fe% centimetres
C a fe% metres
D a fe% 1ilometres
4 2n an -particle scattering e0periment a .ery thin gold film is bombarded %ith -particles!
-hat is obser.ed& '()
A * fe% -particles are deflected through an angle greater than 903!
B 4ost -particles are deflected through angles greater than 903!
C 5o -particle continues on its original path!
D 5o -particle is deflected through an angle greater than 903!
5 -hat can be concluded about a gold nucleus %hen -particles are scattered by a thin gold foil& '()
A The nucleus contains protons!
B The nucleus contains neutrons!
C The nucleus is much smaller than the si6e of the atom!
D The nucleus is surrounded by electrons!
6 a 7i.e the name of each of the follo%ing ionising radiations8
i $e
/
2
'()
ii e
0
(
'()
iii 9 '()
b -hich radiation is the most ionising& '()
c -hat is %rong %ith the statement belo% %ritten by a student in his notes&
Beta-particles emitted from a radioactive material are electrons that have been ejected
from their orbits around the atoms. '()
7 :tate t%o of the properties of 9-radiation! '2)
*: and * ;e.el hysics <riginal material = >ambridge Uni.ersity ress 20(0 1
17 Worksheet (AS)
8 a 2n each case belo%+ %rite a nuclear decay e#uation!
i The polonium isotope o
2(0
8/
emits an -particle and changes into an isotope of
lead ?b@! '2)
ii The strontium isotope :r
90
38
emits a -particle and changes into an isotope of
yttrium ?A@! '2)
b "0plain %hy the nucleon number in your ans%er to a ii does not change! '2)
9 Buring the transformation of the thorium isotope
232
90
Th into an isotope of radon ?Cn@+
a total of three -particles and t%o -particles are emitted! Betermine the nucleon number
and proton number of the isotope of radon! '/)
10 2n an -particle scattering e0periment+ -particles are fired to%ards a thin gold foil!
a The diagram sho%s three -particles approaching a gold nucleus in the foil!
i >opy the diagram and on your copy complete the paths of the -particles! '3)
ii *dd to your diagram a dotted line to sho% the path ta1en by slo%er -particles
tra.elling initially along each of the same three lines! ;abel each of these dotted lines
Dslo%E! '2)
iii "0plain %hy the -particle comes closer to the gold nucleus %hen the -particle is
initially faster! '2)
b "0plain %hy this scattering e0periment leads to the conclusion that an atom is mainly
composed of empty space+ %ith a .ery small nucleus! '2)
c :uggest an appro0imate .alue for8
i the diameter of a gold nucleus
ii the diameter of a gold atom! '2)
11 a Bistinguish bet%een the random and the sontaneous nature of radioacti.e decay! '/)
b "0plain %hy the e.aporation of %ater molecules from %ater is faster at higher temperatures
but the emission of radioacti.e particles is unchanged as the temperature is raised! '2)
c ;ist + and 9-radiation+ of similar energy+ in ascending order of8
i ionising ability ?ion pairs created per mm in air@ '()
ii range in air '()
iii mass '()
i! speed! '()
Total8
/3
:core8 F
*: and * ;e.el hysics <riginal material = >ambridge Uni.ersity ress 20(0 2

gold
nucleus