5.1 The Nuclear Model of the Atom | Cambridge O Level Physics Topic Questions 2023

1a

2 marks

Fig. 12.1 shows a diagram to represent a helium atom, and an incomplete key.

Complete the key in Fig. 12.1. State the name of each particle.

How did you do?

1b

2 marks

The table in Fig. 12.2 compares two isotopes of helium.

yPJE2~HF_q12b

For each isotope, write the number of protons and the number of neutrons in the correct places in the table.

How did you do?

Did this page help you?

1a

4 marks

Table 1.1 shows data about nine elements.

Table 1.1

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 data from Table 1.1 to write down the nuclide equation for this decay.

How did you do?

1b

3 marks

A radioactive sample is placed close to a detector. The radioactive isotope in the sample has a long half-life. The detector records a count rate of 597 counts/s.
Fig. 11.2 shows the readings when different materials are placed between the radioactive sample and the detector.

Material	$\frac{c o u n t r a t e}{c o u n t s / s}$
a sheet of paper	602
a piece of thin aluminium	598
a piece of thin lead	510

Fig. 11.2

Explain whether any α-particles, β-particles or γ-rays are emitted by the radioactive sample.

How did you do?

Did this page help you?

1a

3 marks

This notation represents the nucleus of a neutral atom of carbon-14.

${}_{6}^{14}C$

State the number of:

(i)

protons in the nucleus of an atom of carbon-14

[1]

(ii)

electrons orbiting the nucleus of an atom of carbon-14

[1]

(iii)

neutrons in the nucleus of an atom of carbon-14.

[1]

How did you do?

1b

3 marks

Carbon-14 is an isotope of carbon. Carbon-12 is another isotope of carbon.

Compare the nucleus of carbon-14 with the nucleus of carbon-12.

State the similarities and differences.

How did you do?

1c

3 marks

Scientists use carbon-14 to estimate the age of wood that is very old.

A very old sample of wood contains 1.0 × 10⁸ carbon-14 atoms.

When the sample was new, it contained 8.0 × 10⁸ carbon-14 atoms. The half-life of carbon-14 is 5700 years.

Estimate the age of the sample of wood.

age of wood = ........................... years

How did you do?

Did this page help you?

	Download	View
Easy
Medium
Hard

name of nuclide	radium-222	radon-222	lead-216	lead-206
nuclide notation	${}_{88}^{222}{Ra}$	${}_{86}^{222}{Rn}$	${}_{82}^{216}{Pb}$

type of particle	number of particles	charge on particle
neutron
		positive

The Nuclear Model of the Atom (Cambridge O Level Physics)

Topic Questions