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Pages From 0625 - w22 - QP - 43 - Q10 - Chapter 5

The document discusses using a cloud chamber to detect alpha and beta particles. It describes that alpha particles produce short, thick tracks while beta particles produce longer, thinner tracks. It also discusses using a radioactive sodium isotope with a 15 hour half-life to detect leaks in water pipes by detecting its decay into a stable magnesium isotope.

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26 views2 pages

Pages From 0625 - w22 - QP - 43 - Q10 - Chapter 5

The document discusses using a cloud chamber to detect alpha and beta particles. It describes that alpha particles produce short, thick tracks while beta particles produce longer, thinner tracks. It also discusses using a radioactive sodium isotope with a 15 hour half-life to detect leaks in water pipes by detecting its decay into a stable magnesium isotope.

Uploaded by

lelon ong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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14

10 (a) A cloud chamber can be used to detect α (alpha)-particles and β (beta)-particles. Alcohol in
the cloud chamber exists as a vapour and condenses on ions produced in the air. This forms
visible tracks.

Fig. 10.1 shows the tracks when a source of α-particles and β-particles is present in the cloud
chamber.

cloud chamber

alcohol vapour
in air
source of
α-particles
and β-particles

Fig. 10.1

Some of the tracks are short and thick. Other tracks are longer and thinner.

State and explain which tracks are produced by α-particles and which tracks are produced by
β-particles.

α-particles .................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

β-particles .................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(b) A radioactive isotope of sodium (Na) is used to detect leaks from water pipes. A nucleus of
this isotope of sodium contains 11 protons and 13 neutrons. This nucleus decays by emitting
a β-particle to form a nucleus of magnesium (Mg).

(i) Describe what is meant by an isotope.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

© UCLES 2022 0625/43/O/N/22


15

(ii) Write down the nuclide equation for the decay of this isotope of sodium to magnesium.

[3]

(iii) This isotope of sodium has a half-life of 15 hours. The isotope of magnesium is stable
and does not undergo radioactive decay.

Suggest why these properties of the isotope of sodium and the isotope of magnesium
make this isotope of sodium suitable to detect leaks from water pipes.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2022 0625/43/O/N/22 [Turn over

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