CIE iGCSE Co-Ordinated Science P5.1 The nucleus Exam Style Questions Paper 3
Question
, for the doorbell.Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic P4.3.1 — Circuit diagrams and circuit components (Part (a)(i))
• Topic P4.2.4 — Resistance (Part (a)(ii))
• Topic P5.2.2 — The three types of nuclear emission (Part (b)(i))
• Topic P5.2.4 — Half-life (Part (b)(ii))
• Topic P5.1 — The nucleus (Part (b)(iii))
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i) Correct symbol for battery and switch; series connections
The circuit diagram should show a battery, a switch, and the doorbell symbol connected in series with wires forming a complete loop.
(a)(ii) V = 4 × 1.5 OR 6.0 (seen); R = V/I (in any form) OR 6(.0)/3(.0); 2.0 (Ω)
Total voltage = 4 × 1.5 = 6.0 V. Using Ohm’s law, R = V/I = 6.0/3.0 = 2.0 Ω.
(b)(i) helium nucleus / 2 protons and 2 neutrons
An α-particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, which is identical to a helium-4 nucleus. It has a charge of +2e.
(b)(ii) decay rate needs to remain constant
A long half-life means the activity remains reasonably constant over the detector’s lifetime, so it does not need frequent replacement and remains reliable.
(b)(iii) 146
Number of neutrons = mass number – proton number = 241 – 95 = 146.
Question
Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):
• Topic P1.4 — Density (Part (a)(i) & (a)(ii))
• Topic P2.1.1 — States of matter (Part (b)(i))
• Topic P2.1.2 — Particle model (Part (b)(ii) & (b)(iii))
• Topic P5.1 — The nucleus (Part (c))
• Topic P4.4 — Electrical safety (Part (d))
▶️ Answer/Explanation
(a)(i)
uranium (density = $19\,100\,\text{kg/m}^3$)
Density is defined as mass per unit volume. Comparing all six metals in Table 9.1, uranium has the highest density value, making it the densest metal listed.
(a)(ii)
All the metals have a density greater than that of water ($1000\,\text{kg/m}^3$).
An object sinks in a fluid when its density is greater than the density of the fluid. The least dense metal in the table is aluminium at $2700\,\text{kg/m}^3$, which is still nearly three times the density of water. Since every metal listed exceeds $1000\,\text{kg/m}^3$, all will sink.
(b)(i)
Mercury’s melting point (−39 °C) is below 20 °C, and its boiling point (357 °C) is above 20 °C.
Room temperature (20 °C) lies between the melting point and the boiling point of mercury. This means mercury is above its melting point (not a solid) and below its boiling point (not a gas), so it must be a liquid at room temperature.
(b)(ii)
Arrangement: random / irregular — particles are not held in fixed positions.
Separation: close together, most touching.
Liquid particles have enough energy to overcome the rigid lattice of a solid, allowing them to move past one another, but they remain close together and are not widely spaced like gas particles. This gives liquids a fixed volume but no fixed shape.
(b)(iii)
The particles move more slowly as temperature decreases.
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles. As thermal energy is removed, particles lose kinetic energy, their speed decreases, and collisions become less frequent and less energetic. If cooled sufficiently below its melting point of −39 °C, mercury would solidify.
(c)
92 protons and 146 neutrons
In the nuclide notation $^{238}_{92}\text{U}$, the lower number (92) is the proton number giving the number of protons, and the upper number (238) is the nucleon number (total protons + neutrons). The number of neutrons is therefore $238 – 92 = 146$.
(d)
1. If too large a current flows, the fuse wire heats up due to the heating effect of the current.
2. The temperature rises above 200 °C and the fuse wire melts.
3. This breaks the circuit, stopping all current flow and protecting the device.
The fuse is connected in series so that all current must pass through it. Its low-melting-point alloy ensures it melts before the current reaches a level that would overheat the wiring or damage the appliance, acting as a deliberate weak point that sacrifices itself to protect the rest of the circuit.