The nuclear model of the atom — Paper 1 · IGCSE Physics (9-1) 0972

37 In the atomic model, an atom consists of a central mass, orbited by much smaller particles. orbiting central particle mass What is the name of the central mass and of the orbiting particles? central mass orbiting particles A neutron α-particles B neutron electrons C nucleus α-particles D nucleus electrons

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2018

38 A neutral atom of argon-40 ( 40 A ) and a neutral atom of potassium-39 ( 39 K ) are compared. 18 19 Which atom has more electrons, and which atom has more protons? more electrons more protons A argon argon B argon potassium C potassium argon D potassium potassium

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2018

39 Which statement about α-particles and β-particles is correct? A α-particles are less ionising than β-particles. B α-particles are more penetrating than β-particles. C α-particles have greater mass than β-particles. D α-particles have the same charge as β-particles.

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2018

38 Four nuclides are represented below. 6 E G 7 L 6 M 7 3 3 4 5 Which pair of nuclides are isotopes of the same element? A E and G B E and L C G and L D G and M

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Answer: A

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2019

39 A student measures the level of radiation emitted from a radioactive substance. He places a detector very close to the substance. He puts different absorbers between the radioactive substance and the detector. radioactive substance counter detector absorber The student’s results are shown. These results are corrected for background radiation. counter reading absorber counts per minute none 95 thin paper 52 few mm of aluminium 52 several cm of lead 12 Which types of radiation are being emitted by the substance? A α-particles and β-particles only B α-particles and γ-rays only C β-particles and γ-rays only D α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays

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Answer: B

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2019

40 The nuclei of the atoms in a substance are changing randomly and emitting radiation. What is happening to the substance? A It is undergoing electromagnetic induction. B It is undergoing magnetisation. C It is undergoing solidification. D It is undergoing radioactive decay.

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2019

29 A plastic rod is rubbed with a dry cloth. The rod becomes positively charged. Why has the rod become positively charged? A It has gained electrons. B It has gained neutrons. C It has lost electrons. D It has lost neutrons.

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/11 Oct/Nov 2019

37 Which diagram shows a possible structure of a neutral atom? A B key proton neutron electron C D

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Answer: A

This question in 0972/11 Oct/Nov 2019

38 A nuclide of cobalt contains 27 protons and 32 neutrons. Which symbol represents this nuclide? 27 59Co 27Co 32 59Co 32 59 27Co A B C D

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/11 Oct/Nov 2019

39 An isotope of radon is radioactive. It decays by emitting an α-particle. What happens to the nucleus of a radon atom during the emission of the α-particle? A It becomes the nucleus of a different isotope of radon with fewer neutrons. B It becomes the nucleus of a different isotope of radon with more neutrons. C It becomes the nucleus of an element with a higher proton number. D It becomes the nucleus of an element with a lower proton number.

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/11 Oct/Nov 2019

37 A nuclide of the element iron has the symbol shown. 56Fe 26 What does a neutral atom of this nuclide contain? protons neutrons electrons A 26 30 26 B 26 56 30 C 30 26 56 D 56 26 30

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Answer: A

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2020

38 What is the nucleon number of a nuclide? A the number of neutrons in the nucleus B the number of protons in the nucleus C the number of protons minus the number of neutrons in the nucleus D the number of protons plus the number of neutrons in the nucleus

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2020

29 A cloth is used to rub an uncharged plastic rod. Both the rod and the cloth become charged. Why does the plastic rod become negatively charged and the cloth become positively charged? A The rod gains electrons and the cloth gains positive charges. B The rod gains electrons and the cloth loses electrons. C The rod loses electrons and the cloth gains electrons. D The rod loses electrons and the cloth loses positive charges.

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Answer: B

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2020

37 A nuclide of the element iron has the symbol shown. 56Fe 26 What does a neutral atom of this nuclide contain? protons neutrons electrons A 26 30 26 B 26 56 30 C 30 26 56 D 56 26 30

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Answer: A

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2020

38 Which statement about the nuclei of all atoms is correct? A They all contain electrons. B They are all always stable. C They all contain protons and electrons. D They all have a positive charge.

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2020

29 What is an electric current in a metal wire? A a flow of electrons B a flow of neutrons C a flow of nucleons D a flow of protons

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Answer: A

This question in 0972/11 Oct/Nov 2020

37 Which statement is correct for the nucleus of any atom? A The nucleus contains electrons, neutrons and protons. B The nucleus contains the same number of protons as neutrons. C The nucleus has a total charge of zero. D The nucleus is very small compared with the size of the atom.

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/11 Oct/Nov 2020

38 The nucleus of an atom X is represented by the notation shown. How many protons and how many neutrons are in this nucleus? number of number of protons neutrons A P Q B P Q – P C Q P D Q P – Q

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/11 Oct/Nov 2020

37 A very important experiment improved scientists’ understanding of the structure of matter. The experiment involved -particles being fired at a thin, gold foil. What happened? A All the -particles were absorbed by the nuclei of the gold atoms. B All the -particles were unaffected by the gold atoms. C Some of the -particles were attracted by the neutrons in the nuclei of the gold atoms. D Some of the -particles were repelled by the protons in the nuclei of the gold atoms.

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/11 Oct/Nov 2021

38 A model of an atom consists of small particles orbiting a central nucleus. Where is the positive charge in an atom? A on the orbiting particles B in the nucleus C in the space between the nucleus and the orbiting particles D spread throughout the atom

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Answer: B

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2022

38 Which statement describes two atoms of different isotopes of an element? A two atoms with the same nucleon number but different proton number B two atoms with a different nucleon number but the same proton number C two atoms with the same nucleon number and the same proton number D two atoms with a different nucleon number and different proton number

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Answer: B

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2022

40 Some nuclei are unstable. They emit radiation and change into nuclei of a different element. What is this process called? A convection B electromagnetic induction C radioactive decay D the motor effect

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2022

34 How are positive and negative ions formed from atoms? positive ion negative ion A add positive charge to the nucleus add an electron to the atom B add positive charge to the nucleus remove positive charge from the nucleus C remove an electron from the atom add an electron to the atom D remove an electron from the atom remove positive charge from the nucleus 56 26X

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2023

35 A nucleus of element X is represented as . Which is an isotope of element X? 26 X 54 X 56 X 54 X A B C D 56 26 24 28

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Answer: B

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2023

36 Which statement about the random decay of the nuclei in a sample of uranium-238 is correct? A The probabilities of an alpha-particle, a beta-particle or a gamma ray being emitted from a nucleus in the sample are equal. B The probability of a nucleus in the sample decaying decreases as time passes. C The probability of a nucleus decaying in any ten minute interval is the same for all the nuclei in the sample. D The probability of a nucleus in the sample decaying increases as time passes.

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2023

24 A plastic rod is rubbed with a dry cloth. The rod becomes positively charged. Why has the rod become positively charged? A It has gained electrons. B It has gained neutrons. C It has lost electrons. D It has lost neutrons.

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2023

34 Which diagram represents the positions of the charged particles of an atom? A B C D – + + + – + – – + – + + – – + –

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Answer: A

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2023

35 The table shows the composition of three different nuclei. number of number of nucleus protons neutrons X 3 3 Y 3 4 Z 4 3 Which nuclei are isotopes of the same element? A X, Y and Z B X and Y only C X and Z only D Y and Z only

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Answer: B

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2023

34 Atom P has 6 electrons, 6 protons and 6 neutrons. Atom Q has 6 electrons, 6 protons and 7 neutrons. Which statement is correct? A Atom P has atomic number 12. B Atom P has nucleon number 6. C Atom Q has nucleon number 13. D Atoms P and Q are different chemical elements.

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/11 Oct/Nov 2023

32 A simple model of the atom consists of small particles orbiting a central nucleus. Which row is correct? charge on charge on nucleus orbiting particles A negative negative B negative positive C positive negative D positive positive

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2024

33 What is the charge on a proton and what is the charge on a neutron? proton neutron A +1 –1 B +1 0 C –1 +1 D –1 0

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Answer: B

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2024

34 An isotope of radon is radioactive. It decays by emitting an -particle. What happens to the nucleus of a radon atom during the emission of the -particle? A It becomes the nucleus of a different isotope of radon with fewer neutrons. B It becomes the nucleus of a different isotope of radon with more neutrons. C It becomes the nucleus of an element with a higher proton number. D It becomes the nucleus of an element with a lower proton number.

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2024

35 The nuclide notation of the isotope strontium-90 is 90 Sr. 38 Which statement is correct? A A nucleus of strontium-90 has 38 neutrons. B A nucleus of strontium-90 has 52 neutrons. C A nucleus of strontium-90 has 90 electrons. D A nucleus of strontium-90 has 90 neutrons.

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Answer: B

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2024

32 Which statement about the structure of an atom is correct? A Negative electrons surround a neutral nucleus. B Negative electrons surround a positive nucleus. C Positive electrons surround a neutral nucleus. D Positive electrons surround a negative nucleus.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2024

33 Four statements about isotopes of a certain element are listed. Which statement about the isotopes must be correct? A They are radioactive. B They are unstable. C They have the same number of neutrons. D They have the same number of protons.

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Answer: D

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2024

34 Which diagram represents the structure of a neutral atom? A B C D key – – – – neutron + proton + + + + + + + + – electron – – –

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/11 Oct/Nov 2024

30 A plastic rod is charged by friction. The plastic rod becomes positively charged. Which particles are transferred in this process? A atoms B electrons C protons D neutrons

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2025

35 The unstable nucleus of an element undergoes radioactive decay. The proton number remains unchanged. Which description of this radioactive decay event is correct? A The nucleus emits an -particle. B The nucleus emits a -particle. C The nucleus emits -radiation. D The nucleus emits an -particle, a -particle and -radiation together.

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2025

36 When they lose electrons, … 1 … form … 2 … charged … 3 … . Which words correctly complete the sentence? 1 2 3 A atoms negatively ions B ions negatively atoms C atoms positively ions D ions positively atoms

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2025

37 An isotope of krypton has an atomic number of 36 and a mass number of 78. What is the number of protons in a krypton nucleus? A 36 B 42 C 78 D 114

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Answer: A

This question in 0972/11 May/June 2025

25 A glass rod is rubbed with a silk cloth. The glass rod becomes positively charged. Which statement explains how this happens? A Negative charges move from the glass rod to the silk cloth. B Negative charges move from the silk cloth to the glass rod. C Positive charges move from the glass rod to the silk cloth. D Positive charges move from the silk cloth to the glass rod.

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Answer: A

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2025

33 An ion of the element oxygen is negatively charged. Which change causes the ion to become a neutral oxygen atom? A gain of electrons B gain of protons C loss of electrons D loss of protons

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Answer: C

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2025

34 A nuclide of nitrogen is represented as 15 N. 7 What is the number of neutrons in this nuclide? A 7 B 8 C 15 D 22

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Answer: B

This question in 0972/12 May/June 2025