M1.

(a) (same) number of protons

same atomic number is insufficient
1

(b) (i) nuclei split

do not accept atom for nuclei / nucleus
1

(ii) (nuclear) reactor

1

(c) beta
1

any one from:

• atomic / proton number increases (by 1)
accept atomic / proton number changes by 1
• number of neutrons decreases / changes by 1
• mass number does not change
(total) number of protons and neutrons does not change
• a neutron becomes a proton
1

(d) (average) time taken for number of nuclei to halve

or
(average) time taken for count-rate / activity to halve
1

(e) (i) 6.2 (days)

Accept 6.2 to 6.3 inclusive
allow 1 mark for correctly calculating number remaining as
20 000
or
allow 1 mark for number of
80 000 plus correct use of the graph (gives an answer of 0.8
days)
2

(ii) radiation causes ionisation

allow radiation can be ionising
1

that may then harm / kill healthy cells

accept specific examples of harm, eg alter DNA / cause
cancer
1

(iii) benefit (of diagnosis / treatment) greater than risk (of radiation)
accept may be the only procedure available
1

Page 2
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
M2. (a) gravitational force(s) (1)
accept ‘gravity’

balanced by (force(s) due to) radiation pressure (1)

accept equal
2

(b) by (nuclear) fusion (1)

of hydrogen to helium (other light elements) (1)

allow ‘low density’ for light
accept hydrogen nuclei / atoms form helium
response must clearly link one element(s) producing others
fusion to produce helium (2)

heavy element / elements heavier than iron are only produced (by fusion) in a
supernova (1)
allow dense for heavy
ignore any reference to elements undergoing radioactive
decay (to form other elements)
3
[5]

M3. beta
reason may score even if alpha or gamma given
1

any two from:

• mass number does not changeor

total number of protons and neutrons does not change

• atomic / proton number increases by 1or

number of protons increases by 1

• number of neutrons goes down by 1

allow for 2 marks a neutron splits / changes into a proton and
electron / beta
candidates that answer correctly in terms of why alpha and
gamma are not possible, gain both marks
2
[3]

Page 3
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
M4. (a) (forces due to) gravity and radiation pressure
1

correct direction of forces

1

(forces) are balanced / equilibrium / equal

accept for 3 marks an answer in terms of
sufficient hydrogen (1)
to keep fusion reaction (1)
reference to burn / burning negates this mark
going at a continuous /steady rate (1)
if fuel is used instead of hydrogen maximum of 2 marks
1

(b) the Sun will remain stable (for several billion years)
1

based on evidence
accept a specific example of evidence
eg that the Sun has remained stable during the life of our
planet / for 4.5 billion years
or
still contains more than 50 % hydrogen
or
by comparison with the lifecycle of (similar) stars
allow a refutation
eg not based on prejudice / whim / hearsay / folk law /
historical or religious authority
1
[5]

Page 4
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
M5. (a) gravitational attraction
accept ‘gravity’
accept (nuclear) fusion
1

(b) radiation ‘pressure’ and gravity / gravitational attraction

must be in correct context
1

are balanced / in equilibrium

accept are equal and opposite
do not accept ‘equal’
orthere is sufficient / a lot of hydrogen / fuel
do not accept constant supply of hydrogen

to last a very long time / for (nuclear) fusion

this mark only scores if linked to the supply of hydrogen / fuel
reference to burning negates both marks
1

(c) (i) (conversion of) hydrogen to helium

accept (conversion of) lighter elements to heavier elements
1

by (nuclear) fusion
note do not credit spelling of ‘fusion’ which could be ‘fission’
reference to burning negates both marks
1

(ii) massive supply / lots of hydrogen

1

(d) distributed throughout the Universe / space

do not accept Solar System for Universe
1
[7]

Page 5
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
M6. (a) a protostar is at a lower temperature
or
a protostar does not emit radiation /energy
1

as (nuclear) fusion reactions have not started

accept heat or light for energy
1

(b) by (nuclear) fusion

accept nuclei fuse (together)
nuclear fusion and fission negates this mark
1

of hydrogen to helium
1

elements heavier than iron are formed in a supernova

accept a specific example e.g. heavier elements such as
gold are formed in a supernova
accept heavier elements (up to iron) formed in red giant/red
super giant
reference to burning (hydrogen) negates the first 2 marks
1
[5]

Page 6
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
M7. (a) (i) plutonium (239)
accept Pu / Thorium / MOX (mixed oxide)
do not accept uranium-238 or hydrogen
1

(ii) (energy) used to heat water and

1

produce (high pressure) steam

1

the steam drives a turbine (which turns a generator)

1

(b) Neutron(s) shown ‘hitting’ other U-235 nuclei

one uranium nucleus is sufficient
1

U-235 nuclei (splitting) producing 2 or more neutrons

1

(c) any two from:

• neutrons are absorbed (by boron / control rods)

• there are fewer neutrons

• chain reaction slows down / stops

accept fewer reactions occur
2
[8]

Page 7
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
M8. (a) answers must be in terms of nuclear fuels

concentrated source of energy

idea of a small mass of fuel able to generate a lot of
electricity
1

that is able to generate continuously

accept it is reliable
or can control / increase / decrease electricity generation
idea of available all of the time / not dependent on the
weather
ignore reference to pollutant gases
1

the energy from (nuclear) fission

1

is used to heat water to steam to turn turbine linked to a generator

1

(b) carbon dioxide is not released (into the atmosphere)

1

but is (caught and) stored (in huge natural containers)

1
[6]

Page 8
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
M9. (a) fusion
do not credit any response which looks like ‘fission’
1

of hydrogen / H (atoms)
credit only if 1st mark point scores
1

(b) fusion of other / lighter atoms / elements

reference to big bang nullifies both marks
1

during supernova / explosion of star(s)

1

(c) the (available) evidence: supports this ideaordoes not contradict this
ideaorcan be extrapolated to this ideaor(electromagnetic) spectrum from other
stars is similar to sun
1
[5]

Page 9
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com