Question 1a

Marks: 4

(a)

Match, by drawing a line, the words with their correct definitions.

[4]

Key Concepts

Discrete Energy Levels

Question 1b

Marks: 6

The energy of a photon can be calculated using the equation

$E = \frac{h c}{λ}$

(b)

Define the following terms and give the unit:

(i)

h

[2]

(ii)

c

[2]

(iii)

λ

[2]

Key Concepts

Discrete Energy Levels

Question 1c

Marks: 2

(c)

Calculate the wavelength of a photon with an energy of 1.44 × 10⁻¹⁹ J.

[2]

Key Concepts

Discrete Energy Levels

Question 1d

Marks: 7

(d)

(i)

Complete the gaps in the following paragraph by writing the correct words on the line.

Electrons in an atom can only have specific energies. These energies are called _________ _________ _______ .

Normally, electrons occupy the _______ energy level available. This is known as the __________ __________.

Electrons can gain energy and move up the energy levels by ______________ energy.

[4]

(ii)

Underline the processes that allow an electron to move up an energy level.

Collisions with other atoms or electrons Releasing a photon Radioactive decay Absorbing a photon Changing colour Emitting a neutrino

A physical source, such as heat

[3]

Key Concepts

Discrete Energy Levels

Question 2a

Marks: 3

Nuclides can be written in symbol form.

(a)

Complete the labels on the general nuclide symbol using the words below:

Chemical symbol for the element
Proton number
Nucleon number

[3]

Key Concepts

Isotopes

Question 2b

Marks: 4

(b)

Define radioactive decay.

[4]

Key Concepts

Radioactive Decay

Question 2c

Marks: 3

(c)

Draw lines to match the phrases with the correct definitions.

[3]

Key Concepts

Radioactive Decay

Question 2d

Marks: 1

The graph shows the count rate of a radioactive substance measured by a Geiger-Müller tube.

7-1-q2d-question-sl-sq-easy-phy

(d)

State what the fluctuations in the count rate provide evidence for.

[1]

Key Concepts

Radioactive Decay

Question 3a

Marks: 3

The number of neutrons and number of protons for different isotopes can be plotted on a graph called a nuclear stability curve. Different regions on the graph represent the type of decay which is expected.

The three types of radioactive particles shown are alpha emitters, beta−minus emitters and beta−positive emitters.

(a)

Label the regions of the graph to indicate which type of radioactive particle is expected to be emitted.

[3]

Key Concepts

Radioactive Decay

Question 3b

Marks: 8

Background radiation comes from a variety of sources, some are natural and some are man-made.

(b)

Place ticks (✔) in the correct column to indicate whether the source is man-made or natural:

[8]

Key Concepts

Background Radiation

Question 3c

Marks: 4

Radiation is emitted as various different types of particle.

(c)

State 4 types of radioactive particle.

[4]

Key Concepts

Alpha, Beta & Gamma Particles

Question 3d

Marks: 4

When a beta emission occurs, a particle called a neutrino is also emitted.

(d)

Complete the gaps in the following sentences. Choose from the words below:

A neutrino has no ___________ and negligable __________. Electron anti−neutrinos are produced during ___________ decay. Electron neutrinos are produced during ___________ decay.

mass gravity age charge beta−minus beta−positive alpha

[4]

Key Concepts

Alpha, Beta & Gamma Particles

Question 4a

Marks: 6

(a)

Complete the table with the correct properties of alpha, beta−minus, beta−positive and gamma radiation.

[6]

Key Concepts

Alpha, Beta & Gamma Particles

Question 4b

Marks: 2

Plutonium−239 decays to Uranium−235 through the emission of an alpha particle.

(b)

Determine the missing values in the decay equation:

{}_{94}^{239}{Pu} \to {}_{92}^{(i)}U + {}_{(ii)}^{4}α

[2]

Key Concepts

Decay Equations

Question 4c

Marks: 2

Strontium−90 decays through beta−minus decay to form Yttrium−90.

(c)

Determine the missing values in the decay equation.

${}_{38}^{90}{Sr} \to {}_{(i)}^{90}Y + {}_{- 1}^{0}β + (ii)$

[2]

Key Concepts

Decay Equations

Question 4d

Marks: 2

Fluorine−18 decays through beta−plus decay to form oxygen−18.

(d)

Determine the missing values in the decay equation.

${}_{9}^{18}F \to {}_{8}^{(i)}O + {}_{(ii)}^{0}β + ν_{e}$

[2]

Key Concepts

Decay Equations

Question 5a

Marks: 2

(a)

Define half−life.

[2]

Key Concepts

Half-Life

Question 5b

Marks: 5

A student investigates the half−life of technetium with time. This list shows the variables in the experiment.

time size of sample distance from detector to sample

same material for the sample radioactive activity

(b)

Using variables from the list:

(i)

State the independent variable

[1]

(ii)

State the dependent variable

[1]

(iii)

State the control variables for the experiment

[3]

Key Concepts

Investigating Half-Life

Question 5c

Marks: 4

The experiment uses a variety of apparatus.

(c)

Draw a line to match the apparatus with its correct use.

[4]

Key Concepts

Investigating Half-Life

Question 5d

Marks: 3

The student plots the following graph of their results.

7-1-q5d-question-sl-sq-easy-phy

(d)

Determine the half−life of the sample.

[3]

Key Concepts

Decay Curves

DP IB Physics: SL

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7.1 Discrete Energy & Radioactivity

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