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Date November 2016 Marks available 1 Reference code 16N.2.SL.TZ0.4
Level Standard level Paper Paper 2 Time zone 0 - no time zone
Command term State Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

A particular K meson has a quark structure u ¯ s. State the charge on this meson.

[1]
a.

The Feynman diagram shows the changes that occur during beta minus (β) decay.

Label the diagram by inserting the four missing particle symbols.

[2]
b.

Carbon-14 (C-14) is a radioactive isotope which undergoes beta minus (β) decay to the stable isotope nitrogen-14 (N-14). Energy is released during this decay. Explain why the mass of a C-14 nucleus and the mass of a N-14 nucleus are slightly different even though they have the same nucleon number.

[2]
c.

Markscheme

charge: –1«e» or negative or K

Negative signs required.

a.

correct symbols for both missing quarks

exchange particle and electron labelled W or W and e or e
Do not allow W+ or e+ or β+ Allow β or β

b.

decay products include an electron that has mass
OR
products have energy that has a mass equivalent
OR
mass/mass defect/binding energy converted to mass/energy of decay products

 «so»

mass C-14 > mass N-14
OR
mass of n > mass of p
OR
mass of d > mass of u

Accept reference to “lighter” and “heavier” in mass.
Do not accept implied comparison, eg “C-14 has greater mass”. Comparison must be explicit as stated in scheme.

c.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 7: Atomic, nuclear and particle physics » 7.3 – The structure of matter
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