Radioactivity — Paper 2 · IGCSE Sciences - Co-ordinated (Double) 0654

31 The Sun is an important energy resource. Which energy source powers the Sun? A chemical B geothermal C nuclear fission D nuclear fusion

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0654/23 May/June 2017

40 The diagram shows a beam of β-particles and a beam of γ-rays entering the electric field between two charged plates. + + + + + + + + + + + + β-particles γ-rays – – – – – – – – – – – – What is the effect of the electric field on each of the beams? β-particles γ-rays A deflected downwards deflected upwards B deflected upwards deflected downwards C deflected upwards no effect D no effect deflected downwards

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0654/22 Oct/Nov 2018

40 Three types of ionising radiation enter a magnetic field at right angles. Which types of radiation are deflected? A α and β only B α and γ only C β and γ only D α, β and γ

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0654/23 May/June 2019

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 0654/21 Oct/Nov 2019

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 0654/22 Oct/Nov 2019

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 0654/23 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 0654/21 Oct/Nov 2020

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 0654/22 Oct/Nov 2020

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 0654/23 Oct/Nov 2020

40 ,  and  radiation can all penetrate materials and ionise atoms. Which row compares the different types of radiation? least least penetrating ionising A   B   C   D  

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0654/22 Feb/March 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 0654/21 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 0654/22 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 0654/23 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 0654/21 Oct/Nov 2021

40 The nuclide 14 6C decays into the nuclide 14 7N by emitting a -particle. Which equation shows this decay? A 14 6C  14 7N +  0 1 B 14 6C  14 7N + 0 1 C 14 6C  14 7N + 4 2 D 14 6C  14 7N +  4 2

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0654/22 Oct/Nov 2021

40 A uranium nucleus decays by emitting an -particle. The nuclide equation shows this decay. 92U X  234Th + -particle 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 0654/23 Oct/Nov 2021

39 How do the ionising effect and the penetrating ability of alpha-emissions compare with those of beta-emissions? ionising effect penetrating ability A alpha more ionising than beta alpha more penetrating than beta B alpha more ionising than beta alpha less penetrating than beta C alpha less ionising than beta alpha more penetrating than beta D alpha less ionising than beta alpha less penetrating than beta

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0654/22 Feb/March 2022

40 A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 18 years. A sample contains 80 million atoms of this isotope. How long does it take for the number of atoms of this isotope in the sample to decrease to 10 million? A 2.25 years B 6.0 years C 54 years D 180 years

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0654/22 Feb/March 2022

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 0654/21 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 0654/22 May/June 2022

40 Three different types of ionising radiation X, Y and Z pass between two charged plates. source – – – – – – – – X NOT TO Y SCALE Z + + + + + + + + Which row identifies X, Y and Z? X Y Z A alpha beta gamma B alpha gamma beta C beta alpha gamma D beta gamma alpha

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0654/23 May/June 2022

40 The diagram shows -rays travelling in the direction shown. They enter a magnetic field that is directed into the page. γ-rays magnetic field into page In which direction are the -rays deflected by the magnetic field, if at all? A They are deflected out of the page. B They are deflected towards the bottom of the page. C They are deflected towards the top of the page. D They are not deflected.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0654/22 Feb/March 2023

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 0654/21 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 0654/21 May/June 2023

40 A radioactive source emits -particles and -particles that pass into the space between two charged plates. – – – – – – – – α-particles and β-particles from radioactive source + + + + + + + + In which directions are the particles deflected as they pass between the plates and which particles are deflected more? direction of deflection amount of deflection A  towards lower plate,  towards upper plate -particles deflected more B  towards lower plate,  towards upper plate -particles deflected more C  towards upper plate,  towards lower plate -particles deflected more D  towards upper plate,  towards lower plate -particles deflected more

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0654/23 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 0654/21 Oct/Nov 2023

40 Electric and magnetic fields can cause deflection of ionising radiation. Which statements about the deflection are correct? 1 In an electric field, -particles and -particles are deflected in opposite directions. 2 In a magnetic field, -particles and -particles are deflected in the same direction. 3 -rays are not deflected by electric fields or by magnetic fields. A 1 and 3 B 1 only C 2 and 3 D 2 only

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0654/22 Oct/Nov 2023

40 The diagram shows a beam of -particles and a beam of -rays entering the electric field between two charged plates. + + + + + + + + + + + + β-particles γ-rays – – – – – – – – – – – – What is the effect of the electric field on each of the beams? -particles -rays A deflected to the – plate deflected to the + plate B deflected to the + plate deflected to the – plate C deflected to the + plate no effect D no effect deflected to the – plate

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0654/23 Oct/Nov 2023

40 A nucleus of carbon 14 C decays by beta (–)-emission to an isotope of nitrogen N. 6 What is the nuclide of nitrogen formed? A 10 N B 14 N C 14 N D 15 N 4 5 7 7

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0654/22 Feb/March 2024

40 A uranium nucleus decays by emitting an alpha ()-particle. The nuclide equation shows this decay. 92U X  234Th + -particle 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 0654/22 May/June 2024

40 A beam of different types of ionising radiation passes through an electric field between two metal plates. The diagram shows the direction of each type of radiation as it passes through the field. + + + + + – – – – – What does the beam contain? A alpha ()-particles, beta ()-particles and gamma ()-rays B alpha ()-particles and beta ()-particles only C alpha ()-particles and gamma ()-rays only D beta ()-particles and gamma ()-rays only

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0654/23 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 0654/21 Oct/Nov 2024

40 The diagram shows a radioactive source emitting three types of ionising radiation, X, Y and Z. The radiation passes through an electric field between two metal plates, as shown. – – – – – X radioactive source Y + + + + + Z Which row identifies the three types of radiation? X Y Z A alpha gamma beta B beta gamma alpha C gamma alpha beta D gamma beta alpha

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0654/22 Oct/Nov 2024

40 A radioactive source emits beta ()-particles and gamma ()-rays. Both types of radiation enter the magnetic field between the poles of a magnet, as shown. β-particles N and γ-rays radioactive source S In which direction does each type of radiation travel after entering the magnetic field? -particles -rays A into the page into the page B into the page straight on C out of the page into the page D out of the page straight on

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0654/23 Oct/Nov 2024

39 The isotope uranium-238 (U) decays by alpha emission to thorium (Th). The decay equation is shown. 238 92U x 2α y 90Th + What are x and y ? x y A 234 4 B 236 2 C 240 2 D 242 4

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0654/22 Feb/March 2025

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 0654/21 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 0654/22 May/June 2025

39 A radioisotope decays by the emission of an alpha ()-particle. What is lost by the nucleus as it decays? A one proton and one neutron only B one proton, one neutron and one electron C two protons and two neutrons only D two protons, two neutrons and two electrons

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0654/23 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 0654/21 Oct/Nov 2025

39 A carbon-14 nucleus decays to form a nitrogen-14 nucleus and one particle X of ionising radiation. The decay equation is shown. 14 6C 14 ZN + –1X 0 Which row gives the value of Z and the identity of particle X? Z particle X A 5  B 7  C 7  D 8 

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0654/22 Oct/Nov 2025

39 A decay equation for strontium-90 is shown. 90 38Sr 90 39Y + x What is x ? A alpha particle B beta particle C neutron D proton

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0654/23 Oct/Nov 2025