1. The nucleus of an isotope of plutonium has 94 protons and 147 neutrons.
The chemical symbol for
plutonium is Pu.
Write the nuclide notation that describes this nucleus.
[2]
[Total: 2]
2 Only one isotope of gold occurs naturally on Earth.
State what this indicates about the nuclear structure of all the naturally occurring atoms of gold on
Earth.
..................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 1]
3 Only one isotope of gold occurs naturally on Earth.
There are several artificially produced isotopes of gold.
Gold-198 (198
79Au) is an artificial isotope which is used in medicine and in scientific research.
Gold-198 decays by β (beta)-emission to a stable isotope of mercury.
Determine the number of protons and the number of neutrons in a nucleus of this isotope of mercury.
number of protons = ...............................................
number of neutrons = ............................................... [2]
[Total: 2]
2
4 An isotope of americium has 95 protons and 146 neutrons in its nucleus.
Write the nuclide notation for the nucleus of this isotope. The chemical symbol for americium is
Am.
[2]
[Total: 2]
5 Complete this sentence about a neutral atom.
In a neutral atom, the number of protons is equal to the number of ................................. . [1]
[Total: 1]
6 An isotope of beryllium, Be, has the nuclide notation:
9
4Be
The diagram shows one atom of this isotope.
electron
X
Y
(not to scale)
Complete the labelling of the diagram. State the names for X and for Y.
X .............................................................................
Y ............................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
3
7 The nuclide notation for a nucleus of gold-198 is .
State the numbers of electrons, neutrons and protons in a neutral atom of gold-198.
number of electrons = .............................
number of neutrons = .............................
number of protons = ...............................
[3]
[Total: 3]
8 In a nuclear fusion reactor, a nucleus of hydrogen-2 fuses with a nucleus of hydrogen-3 at an
extremely high temperature. This fusion reaction produces an isotope of element X and releases
a neutron.
Using nuclide notation, complete the equation for this reaction.
+ →
[2]
[Total: 2]
9 In a nuclear fusion reactor, a nucleus of hydrogen-2 fuses with a nucleus of hydrogen-3 at an
extremely high temperature. This fusion reaction produces an isotope of element X and releases
a neutron.
Explain why an extremely high temperature is needed when forcing these two nuclei together.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 3]
10 Two of the isotopes of hydrogen are hydrogen-2 ( ) and hydrogen-3 ( ).
State one similarity in the composition of their nuclei.
................................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 1]
4
11 Carbon-12 is a stable isotope of carbon. Its nuclide notation is
12 C
6
Carbon-14 is an unstable isotope of carbon. Its nuclide notation is
14C
6
Determine the numbers of electrons, protons and neutrons in an atom of carbon-12 and the
numbersof electrons, protons and neutrons in an atom of carbon-14.
Complete Table.
carbon-12 carbon-14
number of electrons
number of protons
number of neutrons
[3]
[Total: 3]
12 State the proton number, nucleon number and the value of the charge on an α-particle.
proton number ..........................................................................................................................
nucleon number ........................................................................................................................
charge ........................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 3]
5
13 The diagram represents the particles in a neutral lithium atom.
Use the information in the diagram of the neutral lithium atom to answer (a), (b) and (c).
(a) Determine the number of electrons. ...................................................... [1]
(b) Determine the value of the nucleon number. ........................................ [1]
(c) Determine the number of neutrons. ...................................................... [1]
[Total: 3]
14 The diagram represents the structure of four atoms, P, Q, R and S.
State which two atoms are isotopes of the same element and explain your answer.
.......................... and ..........................
explanation ...............................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 2]
6
15 Barium-137 is a radioactive isotope. The nuclide notation for barium-137 is
Determine the number of neutrons in a nucleus of barium-137.
number of neutrons = .................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
16 Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon. An atom of carbon-14 has 6 protons in its nucleus.
Another isotope of carbon is carbon-12.
(a) Determine the number of protons in a carbon-12 nucleus.
. .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) Determine the number of neutrons in a carbon-14 nucleus.
. .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) Determine the number of electrons orbiting the nucleus of a single carbon-14 atom.
. .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 3]
7
17 The diagram represents a neutral atom of an isotope of element X.
The isotope of element X is radioactive. It decays to form an isotope of element Y by emitting a
β-particle.
Using the diagram, deduce the nuclide notation for the isotope of Y produced by this decay.
[3]
[Total: 3]
8
18 The diagram represents a neutral atom of an isotope of element X.
State one similarity between this atom and a neutral atom of a different isotope of element X.
..................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 1]
19 A nucleus of americium-241 has the nuclide notation shown.
(a) Determine the number of neutrons in a nucleus of americium-241.
number of neutrons = .................................................. [1]
(b) Determine the charge on a nucleus of americium-241.
charge = .................................................. [2]
[Total: 3]
9
20 A radioactive substance decays by emitting an α-particle.
The nuclide notation for an α-particle is shown.
(a) State the term given to the number 4, written in the nuclide notation.
. .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) State the term given to the number 2, written in the nuclide notation.
. .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 2]
21 Use words from the box to complete the sentences about the charges in an atom. Words can be
used once, more than once or not at all.
negative neutral positive
The charge on the nucleus of an atom is .......................................... .
The charge on a proton is .......................................... .
The charge on electrons orbiting the nucleus is .......................................... . [3]
[Total: 3]
22 A nucleus of radium-226 has the nuclide notation shown.
(a) Determine the number of protons in a nucleus of radium-226.
. .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
10
(b) Determine the number of neutrons in a nucleus of radium-226.
. .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) Radium has another isotope, radium-223.
Write the nuclide notation for radium-223 in the space.
[1]
[Total: 3]
23 A radioactive substance decays by emitting an α-particle.
An α-particle can be represented as .
Draw a labelled diagram showing the composition of an α-particle.
[3]
[Total: 3]
24 Americium (Am) is a radioactive isotope. A nucleus of americium contains 95 protons and 146
neutrons. It decays by emitting an α-particle to form a nucleus of an isotope of neptunium (Np).
Write down the nuclide equation for the decay of americium to neptunium.
[4]
[Total: 4]
11
25 The diagram shows a beam of α-particles moving towards a thin sheet of gold in a vacuum.
Detectors in the region surrounding the thin gold sheet detect the α-particles and determine the
number of particles that travel in various directions.
State and explain what can be deduced from the following observation.
The majority of the α-particles pass through the gold sheet undeflected and are detected on the far
side.
deduction .................................................................................................................................
explanation................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 2]
12
26 The diagram shows a beam of α-particles moving towards a thin sheet of gold in a vacuum.
Detectors in the region surrounding the thin gold sheet detect the α-particles and determine the
number of particles that travel in various directions.
State and explain what can be deduced from the following observation.
A small number of α-particles are deflected as they pass through the gold sheet.
deduction .................................................................................................................................
explanation ...............................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 2]
27 Astatine-210 is a radioactive material. The nucleus of astatine can be represented by the symbol
shown.
Complete the table to describe the nucleus of astatine-210.
type of particle number of particles charge on particle
neutron
positive
[4]
[Total: 4]
13
28 Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen. It can be represented by .
Explain the meaning of the term isotope.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 2]
29 Draw a line from each part of the atom to its description.
part of the atom description
is an electromagnetic wave
nucleus
is the centre of the atom
electron
has no electric charge
neutron
orbits the centre of an atom
[3]
[Total: 3]
30 A nuclear power station uses uranium to generate thermal energy.
The fuel for the power station is an isotope of uranium.
Explain the meaning of the term isotope.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 2]
14
31 The table shows data about nine elements.
proton number element symbol
2 helium He
3 lithium Li
4 beryllium Be
5 boron B
6 carbon C
7 nitrogen N
8 oxygen O
9 fluorine F
10 neon Ne
Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope with a nucleon number of 14. It decays by emitting β-particles.
Use any data you need from the table to write down the nuclide equation for this decay.
[4]
[Total: 4]
32 The table compares two isotopes of helium.
For each isotope, write the number of protons and the number of neutrons in the correct places in
the table.
number of protons
number of neutrons
[2]
[Total: 2]
15
33 In a factory, rollers press aluminium metal to make thin foil sheets. An automatic system for
controlling the thickness of the foil used a radioactive source. The automatic system changes the
gap between the top and bottom roller. The diagram shows the equipment.
(a) Use your ideas about the properties of radiation to suggest and explain the type of radiation
used.
type of radiation ................................................................................................................
explanation .......................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
. .......................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) The aluminium foil passing the radiation detector is too thin. Describe how this fault affects
the reading on the counter.
. .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) Suggest how the fault in (b) is corrected. State what happens to the rollers.
. .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
(d) The source used is strontium-90. A nucleus of strontium-90 can be described as
State the number of protons in a nucleus of strontium-90.
. .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 5]
16
34 The diagram represents a helium atom. There is also an incomplete key for the particles in the
helium atom.
Complete the key. State the name of each particle.
[2]
[Total: 2]
35 A nucleus of uranium-235 undergoes nuclear fission in a reactor.
State what is meant by nuclear fission.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 1]
36 A radioactive nucleus of uranium-235 decays to a nucleus of thorium and emits an α-particle.
Complete the equation.
[2]
[Total: 2]
37 The element sodium, symbol Na, has a proton number of 11.
Which is a possible symbol for a sodium nuclide?
A B C D
[1]
[Total: 1]
17
38 Which row states the charge on an electron and states whether electrons are located inside the
nucleus of an atom?
located inside
charge
the nucleus
A negative no
B negative yes
C positive no
D positive yes
[1]
[Total: 1]
39 Different isotopes of chlorine are represented as l and l.
They behave in the same way chemically.
Why is this?
A They have the same nuclide notation.
B They have the same number of neutrons.
C They have the same number of nucleons.
D They have the same number of protons.
[1]
[Total: 1]
40 One nuclide notation for carbon is .
Suggest the nuclide notation for another possible isotope of carbon.
................................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 1]