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CIE iGCSE Co-Ordinated Science P5.2.2 The three types of nuclear emission Exam Style Questions Paper 4

CIE iGCSE Co-Ordinated Science Paper 4 - All Chapters

Question

(a) Fig. 12.1 shows the path taken by an alpha particle as it passes through an electric field.
(i) On Fig. 12.1, draw the paths taken by a beta particle and a gamma ray as they pass through the electric field.
(ii) Draw four lines to give the nature, relative ionising ability and relative penetrating ability of an alpha particle.
(b) Nuclear power stations use nuclear fission to generate electricity.
(i) A nuclear power station generates \(6.7 \times 10^{6}\,\text{J}\) of energy per day. The efficiency of the power station is 89%.
Calculate the useful energy output from the power station in one year.
(ii) State one advantage of generating electricity using nuclear fission compared to using fossil fuels.
(iii) The nuclear power station uses a generator to produce electrical energy.
Fig. 12.2 shows a diagram of a simple a.c. generator.
Describe how a simple a.c. generator produces an output potential difference.
Include a description of the role of the slip rings in your answer.

Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):

• Topic P5.2.2 — The three types of nuclear emission (Part (a))
• Topic P1.6.3 — Energy resources (Part (b)(i)–(ii))
• Topic P4.5.2 — The a.c. generator (Part (b)(iii))

▶️ Answer/Explanation

(a)(i) beta curves towards the negative plate (less than alpha); gamma travels straight through

The beta particle is negatively charged and much lighter than the alpha particle, so it curves more sharply towards the positive plate.
The gamma ray has no charge, so it passes straight through the field undeflected.

(a)(ii) relative mass of 4; relative charge of +2; high ionising ability; low penetrating ability

An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, giving it a relative mass of 4 and a charge of +2.
Because of its larger mass and charge, it has a high ionising ability but, correspondingly, a low penetrating ability.

(b)(i) \(2.2 \times 10^{9}\,\text{J}\)

Useful energy output per day \(= 0.89 \times 6.7 \times 10^{6} = 5.96 \times 10^{6}\,\text{J}\).
Useful energy output in one year \(= 5.96 \times 10^{6} \times 365 \approx 2.2 \times 10^{9}\,\text{J}\).

(b)(ii) does not release carbon dioxide/does not contribute to global warming or climate change

Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear fission does not involve burning carbon-based fuel.
This means it does not release carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to climate change in the same way.

(b)(iii) coil rotates; coil cuts/experiences a changing magnetic field; emf/current is induced in the coil; slip rings maintain electrical contact and prevent the wires from tangling

As the coil rotates within the magnetic field, it continuously cuts through magnetic field lines, experiencing a changing flux.
This changing flux induces an emf (and hence a current) in the coil, which alternates direction every half turn; the slip rings rotate with the coil and maintain continuous electrical contact with the fixed brushes, transferring this alternating output to the external circuit without the wires becoming tangled.

Question

(a) State how the Big Bang Theory describes the beginning of the Universe.
(b) The Universe has many stable stars.
Complete the boxes in Fig. 10.1 with the next stages in the life cycle of a very large mass stable star.
(c) (i) State where most of the mass of the Solar System is located.
(ii) The Sun has eight planets orbiting it. Describe the relationship between the orbital speed and the orbital radius of the planets as orbital radius increases.
(d) A radioactive source emits two types of radiation.
When no source is present, a radiation detector records 14 counts per minute.
The source is placed 5.0 cm from the radiation detector for all measurements recorded in Table 10.1.
The absorbing material is placed between the source and detector.

State which two types of ionising radiation are emitted by the source. Explain your answer.

Most-appropriate topic codes (Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654):

• Topic P6.2.2 — Life cycle of stars (Parts (a) & (b))
• Topic P6.1 — The Solar System (Part (c)(i) & (c)(ii))
• Topic P5.2.2 — The three types of nuclear emission (Part (d))

▶️ Answer/Explanation

(a) The Big Bang Theory describes the beginning of the Universe as an expansion from a single point of very high density and very high temperature.
According to this theory, the Universe began approximately 13.8 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since.

(b) Very large mass stable star → red supergiant → supernova → black hole.
• A very large mass star becomes a red supergiant as it expands.
• It then undergoes a supernova explosion.
• The core collapses to form a black hole (if sufficiently massive).

(c)(i) Most of the mass of the Solar System is located in the Sun.
The Sun contains approximately 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar System.

(c)(ii) As orbital radius increases, orbital speed decreases.
The strength of the Sun’s gravitational field decreases with distance, so planets further from the Sun travel more slowly in their orbits.

(d) First type of radiation: Alpha (α) radiation.
Explanation: The count rate decreases from 240 to 180 when paper is placed between the source and detector. Alpha radiation is stopped by paper, so this reduction indicates the presence of alpha particles.

Second type of radiation: Gamma (γ) radiation.
Explanation: After passing through paper and 5 mm aluminium, the count rate remains above background (181 counts/min compared to background 14 counts/min). Gamma radiation is highly penetrating and is only significantly reduced by thick lead (10 cm lead reduces the count to 22, which is close to background). This confirms the presence of gamma radiation.

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