Physics WPH11: Nuclear Decay Topical Past Paper Questions

Polonium-214 is part of a naturally occurring decay chain. (a) The nuclear equation shows the decay of polonium into lead by the emission of an alpha particle. $$ \begin{array}{c} ^{214}\mathrm{Po} \quad \rightarrow \quad {}^{210}_{82}\mathrm{Pb} \quad +\quad {}^{4}_{2}\alpha\end…

The space probe Galileo was sent into space to study the planet Jupiter. The space probe was powered using plutonium-238. Plutonium-238 decays to an isotope of uranium by emitting an alpha particle. (a) Complete the nuclear equation for the decay of plutonium-238. (2) $$ \stackre…

Iodine-131 ( $ ^{131} $I) is used to treat some diseases of the thyroid gland. Nuclei of $ ^{131} $I decay by emitting a $ \beta^{-} $particle. (a) Complete the nuclear equation for the decay of $ {}^{131} $I. (2) $$ {\bf\Omega}_{53}^{131}\mathrm{I}\to{\bf\Omega}\underbrace{\cdot…