Q1.

Figure 1 shows two models of the atom.

Figure 1

(a) Write the labels on Figure 1

Choose the answers from the box.

atom electron nucleus

neutron orbit proton

(4)

(b) Explain why the total positive charge in every atom of an element is always the same.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) The results from the alpha particle scattering experiment led to the nuclear model.

Alpha particles were fired at a thin film of gold at a speed of 7% of the speed of light.

Determine the speed of the alpha particles.

Speed of light = 300 000 000 m/s

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Speed = _____________________ m/s

(2)

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 (d) Figure 2 shows two atoms represented as solid spheres.

Figure 2

A hydrogen atom has a radius of 2.5 × 10−11 m

Determine the radius of a magnesium atom.

Use measurements from Figure 2

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Radius = _____________________ m
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q2.
Different radioactive isotopes emit different types of nuclear radiation.

A polonium-210 (Po) nucleus emits an alpha particle (α) and turns into a lead (Pb) nucleus.

This can be represented by the equation:

(a) What is the value of A in the equation?

Tick (✓) one box.

A = 206 A = 208 A = 210 A = 211

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 (1)

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(b) What is the value of Z in the equation?

Tick (✓) one box.

Z = 80 Z = 82 Z = 85 Z = 86

(1)

(c) A strontium-89 nucleus (Sr) emits a beta particle (β) and turns into an yttrium nucleus (Y).

This can be represented by the equation:

What are the values of A and Z in the equation?

A = ________________________
Z = ________________________
(2)

(d) Gamma radiation is another type of nuclear radiation.

What does gamma radiation consist of?

Tick (✓) one box.

High energy neutrons

Electromagnetic waves

Particles with no charge

Positively charged ions

(1)

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 (e) Explain the differences between the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiations.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(6)
(Total 11 marks)

Q3.
Some street lamps contain sodium.

Below are two isotopes of sodium.

(a) What are isotopes?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) How many protons and neutrons are in a nucleus of ?

Number of protons = ____________________

Number of neutrons = ____________________

(2)

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(c) The sodium atoms emit light.

What would cause light to be emitted from a sodium atom?

Tick one box.

Electrons being emitted from the nucleus.

Electrons falling to a lower energy level.

Electrons leaving the atom when it is ionised.

Electrons moving to a higher energy level.

(1)

(d) In a street lamp, solid sodium is melted and vaporised.

Describe how the arrangement of the sodium atoms changes as the sodium goes from
solid to liquid to gas.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

The table shows the power ratings of some types of sodium lamp.

Type of sodium lamp Power in Watts

A 35

B 50

C 70

D 100

E 150

(e) Some main roads are lit by type E sodium lamps.

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 Calculate the energy transferred by one type E sodium lamp in 1 hour.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Energy transferred = ____________________ J

(3)

(f) Many housing estates are lit by type A sodium lamps.

Suggest two advantages of using type A sodium lamps on housing estates.

1. _________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 14 marks)

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Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) electron
1

atom
1

nucleus
1

orbit
1

(b) positive charge is provided by protons

1

(every atom of the same element contain the) same number of protons
do not accept same number of protons and
neutrons
ignore reference to electrons
1

(c)
allow any correct method of determining 7% of
300 000 000
1

v = 21 000 000 (m/s)

allow 2.1 × 107 (m/s)
1
an answer of 21 000 000 scores 2 marks

(d) r = 6 × 2.5 × 10−11

allow a ratio in the range of 5.7−6.3 or
measurements that would give this range,
correctly substituted
1

r = 1.5 × 10−10 (m)

allow 1.4 × 10−10 to 1.6 × 10−10
their ratio × 2.5 × 10 correctly calculated scores 1 mark
−11

1
an answer in the range 1.4 × 10 −10
to 1.6 × 10 −10

scores 2 marks
[10]

Q2.

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(a) A = 206
1

(b) Z = 82
1

(c)
numbers must be in this order

89
1

39
1

(d) electromagnetic waves

1

(e) Level 3: Relevant points (reasons/causes) are identified, given in detail and
logically linked to form a clear account.
5−6

Level 2: Relevant points (reasons/causes) are identified, and there are attempts at
logical linking. The resulting account is not fully clear.
3−4

Level 1: Points are identified and stated simply, but their relevance is not clear and
there is no attempt at logical linking.
1−2

No relevant content
0

Indicative content

alpha radiation
• an alpha particle is the same as a helium nucleus
• alpha is the least penetrating
• alpha is stopped by paper or skin
• alpha has the shortest range in air
• alpha will travel a few cm in air
• because alpha is most ionising
• because alpha has a charge of +2

beta radiation
• a beta particle is an electron (emitted from the nucleus)
• beta penetrates less than gamma and more than alpha
• beta is stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium
• beta has a shorter range than gamma
• beta will travel up to 1m in air
• because beta is more ionising that gamma and less ionising than alpha
• because beta has a charge of -1

gamma radiation
• gamma radiation is an electromagnetic wave
• gamma is the most penetrating

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 • gamma is reduced/stopped by several cm of lead or thick concrete
• gamma has the largest range in air
• gamma will travel very large distances in air
• because gamma is least ionising
• because is uncharged

to access level 3 the answer should compare alpha, beta and gamma radiation and
provide some explanation of their properties
[11]

Q3.
(a) atoms with the same number of protons
allow atoms of the same element
1

but with a different number of neutrons

1

(b) protons = 11
1

neutrons = 12
1

(c) electrons falling to a lower energy level

1

(d)
Level 2: Scientifically relevant facts, events
or processes are identified and given in detail 3-4
to form an accurate account.

Level 1: Facts, events or processes are

identified and simply stated but their 1-2
relevance is not clear.

No relevant content 0

Indicative content

solid

• atoms closely packed

• atoms in a regular arrangement

• atoms vibrate about a fixed position

liquid

• atoms are close together

• atoms are not in regular arrangement

• atoms can move past each other

gas

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 • atoms are well separated

• atoms are not in regular arrangement

• atoms move randomly at high speeds

4

(e) 60 × 60
1

E = 150 × 3600
1

E = 540 000 (J)

an answer of 540 000 (J) scores 3 marks
1

(f) less energy transferred

1

not as bright
1
[14]

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