Radioactivity — Paper 2 · IGCSE Sciences - Co-ordinated (9-1) 0973

40 Which type of radiation has the greatest ionising effect, and which is the most penetrating? greatest ionising most penetrating effect A α-particles α-particles B α-particles γ-rays C γ-rays α-particles D γ-rays γ-rays

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0973/21 Oct/Nov 2019

40 Which type of radiation has the greatest ionising effect? A infrared rays B -particles C -particles D -rays

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0973/21 Oct/Nov 2020

40 A radioactive nucleus emits a -particle. What happens to the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus? A It stays the same. B It increases by 1. C It decreases by 2. D It decreases by 4.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0973/21 May/June 2021

40 A radioactive nucleus emits a -particle. What happens to the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus? A It stays the same. B It increases by 1. C It decreases by 2. D It decreases by 4.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0973/22 May/June 2021

40 The table gives information about the deflection of radiation in an electric field and in a magnetic field. Which row is correct? deflected in deflected in radiation electric field magnetic field A alpha yes yes B alpha no no C gamma yes no D gamma yes yes

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0973/21 Oct/Nov 2021

40 A beam of -particles and -particles passes into an electric field between two horizontal parallel plates in a vacuum. – – – – – – – – α-particles and β-particles + + + + + + + + Which row shows what happens to the beam? -particles -particles A deflected downwards deflected upwards B deflected downwards not deflected C deflected upwards deflected downwards D deflected upwards not deflected

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0973/21 May/June 2022

40 A beam of -rays passes into an electric field between two charged plates. Which diagram shows what happens to the -rays? A B C D – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0973/22 May/June 2022

39 A radioactive nucleus 238 U decays into a thorium (Th) nucleus by emitting an alpha-particle. 92 What is the symbol for the thorium nucleus formed? A 234 Th B 234 Th C 238 Th D 238 Th 90 92 90 92

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0973/21 May/June 2023

40 The diagrams show a beam of beta-particles passing into an electric field and another beam of beta-particles passing into a magnetic field. + + + + + beta-particles – – – – – N beta-particles S In which direction is the beam deflected in each case? electric field magnetic field A towards the negative plate into the page B towards the negative plate out of the page C towards the positive plate into the page D towards the positive plate out of the page

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0973/21 May/June 2023

40 Three types of ionising radiation enter a magnetic field at right angles to the field. Which types of radiation are deflected? A  and  only B  and  only C  and  only D ,  and 

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0973/21 Oct/Nov 2023

40 A uranium nucleus decays by emitting an alpha ()-particle. The nuclide equation shows this decay. X U  234 Th + -particle 92 Y What are the numbers X and Y ? X Y A 234 90 B 234 92 C 238 90 D 238 92

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0973/22 May/June 2024

40 A uranium nucleus decays into a thorium nucleus. The thorium nucleus then decays into a protactinium nucleus. 238 U  234 Th  234 Pa 92 90 91 Which emissions take place during the decays? A an alpha-particle followed by a beta-particle B an alpha-particle followed by another alpha-particle C a beta-particle followed by an alpha-particle D a beta-particle followed by another beta-particle

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0973/21 Oct/Nov 2024

39 Which statement about background radiation is correct? A All of it comes from the ground. B None of it comes from the air. C Only people who fly long distances are exposed to it. D Some of it comes from food and drink.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0973/21 May/June 2025

39 A nucleus of 238 92U undergoes radioactive decay to produce a nucleus of thorium (Th) and an alpha particle. Which equation shows this decay? A 238 92U  238 93Th + 0 –1 B 238 92U  239 92Th + –1 0 C 238 92U  236 88Th + 2 4 D 238 92U  234 90Th + 4 2

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0973/22 May/June 2025

39 A carbon-14 nucleus undergoes – decay and produces an isotope of nitrogen. The decay equation is shown. 14 6C A ZN + β– Which row gives the values of A and Z? A Z A 13 6 B 13 7 C 14 6 D 14 7

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0973/21 Oct/Nov 2025