M1.

(a) (i) alpha (particle)

1

(ii) (unstable) nucleus

accept (unstable) nuclei
do not accept middle
do not accept helium nucleus
1

(iii) same number of protons

accept same number of electrons
accept same atomic / proton number
accept they both have 92 protons
same number of neutrons negates answer
1

(b) (i) 4500 million years

do not accept 4500 years
1

(ii) curve starting at 100 000 with a correct general shape

1

passing through (4500, 50 000) and (9000, 25 000)

allow 1 mark for points plotted
or
line passing through (4500, 50 000) and (9000, 25 000)
1
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M2. (a) (i) number of protons are the same
accept atomic number / number of electrons for number of
protons
1

number of neutrons are different

accept mass numbers are different – only if the first mark is
awarded
1

(ii) an electron from the nucleus

both parts needed
1

(b) decays at the same rate as it is made

accept decays as fast as it is made
accept absorbed / used by plants (in CO2) at same rate as it
is being made
1

(c) (i) 3500

no tolerance
1

(ii) adjusted age correctly obtained from the graph

accept values between 3700–3800 inclusive
accept their (c)(i) used correctly to obtain an adjusted age
from the graph
1

adjusted age +50

second mark can only be scored if first mark awarded
if no working shown an answer between 3750–3850
inclusive scores both marks
note: any line or mark made on the graph counts as working
out
1

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 [7]

M3. (a) (i) (total) number of protons plus neutrons

accept number of nucleons
accept amount for number
do not accept number of particles in the nucleus
1

(ii) number of neutrons decreases by one

1

number of protons increases by one

accept for both marks a neutron changes into a proton
1

(b) (i)
1

correct order only

1

(ii) the number of protons determines the element

accept atomic number for number of protons
1

alpha and beta decay produce different changes to the number of protons
there must be a comparison between alpha and beta which
is more than a description of alpha and beta decay alone
oralpha and beta decay produce different atomic numbers
ignore correct reference to mass number
1
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M4. (a) beta
\1

alpha: would not pass through (the aluminium / foil)

1

gamma: no change in count rate when thickness changes

must be a connection between detection / count rate /
passing through and change in thickness
1

(b) foil thickness increases then decreases (then back to normal / correct thickness)
a description of count rate changes is insufficient
1

gap between rollers decreases, then increases (then back to correct size)orpressure
from rollers increases then decreases
accept tightness for pressure
answers may link change in thickness and gap width for full
credit ie:
foil thickness increases so gap between rollers decreases (1)
foil thickness decreases so gap between rollers increases (1)
1

(c) 56 (years)
accept any value between 55-57 inclusive
allow 1 mark for correct calculation of mass remaining as 1.5
(micrograms)
allow 1 mark for a mass of 4.5 micrograms plus correct use
of graph with an answer of 12
maximum of 1 compensation mark can be awarded
2
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M5. (a) 78
1

(b) atomic
1

(c) (i) 131

correct order only
1

54
1

(ii) 32 (days)
allow 1 mark for showing 4 half-lives provided no subsequent
step
2

(iii) limits amount of iodine-131 / radioactive iodine that can be absorbed

accept increases level of non-radioactive iodine in thyroid
do not accept cancels out iodine-131
1

so reducing risk of cancer (of the thyroid)

accept stops risk of cancer (of the thyroid)
1
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M6. (a) cobalt-(60)
1

gamma (radiation) will pass through food / packaging

this can score if technetium chosen
1

long half-life so level of radiation (fairly) constant for (a number) of years

this can score if strontium / caesium is chosen
accept long half-life so source does not need frequent
replacement
accept answers in terms of why alpha and beta cannot be
used
gamma kills bacteria is insufficient
1

(b) (i) people may link the use of radiation with illness / cancer
accept (they think) food becomes radioactive
accept (they think) it is harmful to them
‘it’ refers to irradiated food
1

(ii) not biased / influenced (by government views)

1

(iii) any two from:

• data refers only to (cooked) chicken

• data may not generalise to other foods

• the content of some vitamins increases when food / chicken is irradiated

• no vitamins are (completely) destroyed

• (only) two vitamins decrease (but not significantly)

accept irradiated chicken / food contains a higher level of
vitamins
marks are for the explanation only
2

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 (iv) so can choose to eat / not eat that (particular) food
accept irradiated food may cause health problems (for some
people)
accept people may have ethical issues(over eating irradiated
food)
1

(c) (i) electron

from nucleus / neutron
both parts required
1

(ii) 90 years
allow 1 mark for showing 3 half-lives
2
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M7. (a) (i) any one from:

• nuclear power (stations)

accept nuclear waste
accept coal power stations

• nuclear weapons (testing)

accept nuclear bombs / fallout

• nuclear accidents
accept named accident, eg Chernobyl or Fukushima
accept named medical procedure which involves a
radioactive source
accept radiotherapy
accept X-rays
accept specific industrial examples that involve a radioactive
source
nuclear activity / radiation is insufficient
smoke detectors is insufficient
1

(ii) (radioactive decay) is a random process

accept an answer in terms of background / radiation varies
(from one point in time to another)
1

(b) any one from:

• (maybe) other factors involved

accept a named ‘sensible’ factor, eg smoking

• evidence may not be valid

accept not enough data

• may not have (a complete) understanding of the process (involved)

1

(c) (i) 2
1

2
1

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 (ii) 218
correct order only
1

84
1

(d) 3.8 (days)

allow 1 mark for showing correct method using the graph
provided no subsequent steps
correct answers obtained using numbers other than 800 and
400 gain 2 marks provided the method is shown
2
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