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Nuclear Physics
Question paper 4

Level International A Level

Subject Physics
Exam Board CIE
Topic Particle & Nuclear Physics
Sub Topic Nuclear Physics
Paper Type Theory
Booklet Question paper 4

Time Allowed: 71 minutes

Score: /59

Percentage: /100

A* A B C D E U

>85% 777.5% 70% 62.5% 57.5% 45% <45%

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1 (a) The variation with nucleon number A of the binding energy per nucleon BE of nuclei is
shown in Fig. 8.1.

BE

0
A
Fig. 8.1

On Fig. 8.1, mark the approximate positions of

(i) iron-56 (label this point Fe), [1]

(ii) zirconium-97 (label this point Zr), [1]

(iii) hydrogen-2 (label this point H). [1]

(b) (i) State what is meant by nuclear fission.

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

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

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

(ii) By reference to Fig. 8.1, explain how fission is energetically possible.

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

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

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

.............................................................................................................................. [2]
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2 (a) State what is meant by the binding energy of a nucleus.

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

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

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

(b) Show that the energy equivalence of 1.0 u is 930 MeV.

[3]

(c) Data for the masses of some particles and nuclei are given in Fig. 8.1.

mass / u
proton 1.0073
neutron 1.0087
deuterium ( 21H) 2.0141
zirconium ( 97
40Zr) 97.0980

Fig. 8.1

Use data from Fig. 8.1 and information from (b) to determine, in MeV,

(i) the binding energy of deuterium,

binding energy = ....................................... MeV [2]

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(ii) the binding energy per nucleon of zirconium.

binding energy per nucleon = ....................................... MeV [3]

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3 In some power stations, nuclear fission is used as a source of energy.

(a) State what is meant by nuclear fission.

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

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

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

(b) The nuclear fission reaction produces neutrons. In the power station, the neutrons may
be absorbed by rods made of boron-10.
Complete the nuclear equation for the absorption of a single neutron by a boron-10
nucleus with the emission of an a-particle.
10 .......
5B + ...................... 3Li + ...................... [3]

(c) Suggest why, when neutrons are absorbed in the boron rods, the rods become hot as a
result of this nuclear reaction.

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

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

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

...................................................................................................................................... [3]
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4 (a) Explain what is meant by the potential energy of a body.

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

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

...................................................................................................................................... [2]
2
(b) Two deuterium ( 1 H) nuclei each have initial kinetic energy EK and are initially separated
by a large distance.
The nuclei may be considered to be spheres of diameter 3.8 × 10–15 m with their masses
and charges concentrated at their centres.
The nuclei move from their initial positions to their final position of just touching, as
illustrated in Fig. 4.1.

2 2
initially 1H 1H

kinetic energy EK kinetic energy EK

3.8 × 10–15 m

2 2
finally 1H 1H

at rest

Fig. 4.1

(i) For the two nuclei approaching each other, calculate the total change in

1. gravitational potential energy,

energy = ............................................ J [3]

2. electric potential energy.

energy = ............................................ J [3]

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(ii) Use your answers in (i) to show that the initial kinetic energy EK of each nucleus
is 0.19 MeV.

[2]

(iii) The two nuclei may rebound from each other. Suggest one other effect that could
happen to the two nuclei if the initial kinetic energy of each nucleus is greater than
that calculated in (ii).

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

.............................................................................................................................. [1]
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5 A π0 meson is a sub-atomic particle.

A stationary π0 meson, which has mass 2.4 × 10–28 kg, decays to form two γ-ray photons.
The nuclear equation for this decay is

π0 γ + γ.

(a) Explain why the two γ-ray photons have the same energy.

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

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

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

(b) Determine, for each γ-ray photon,

(i) the energy, in joule,

energy = .............................................. J [2]

(ii) the wavelength,

wavelength = ............................................ m [2]

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(iii) the momentum.

momentum = ........................................... N s [2]

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6 Americium-241 is an artificially produced radioactive element that emits α-particles.

A sample of americium-241 of mass 5.1 μg is found to have an activity of 5.9 × 105 Bq.

(a) Determine, for this sample of americium-241,

(i) the number of nuclei,

number = ............................................... [2]

(ii) the decay constant,

decay constant = ........................................ s–1 [2]

(iii) the half-life, in years.

half-life = .................................... years [2]

(b) Another radioactive element has a half-life of approximately 4 hours.

Suggest why measurement of the mass and activity of a sample of this element is not
appropriate for the determination of its half-life.

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

.................................................................................................................................... [1]
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7 The controlled reaction between deuterium ( 21 H) and tritium ( 31 H) has involved ongoing
research for many years. The reaction may be summarised as
2H + 3H 4He + 1n + Q
1 1 2 0

where Q = 17.7 MeV.

Binding energies per nucleon are shown in Fig. 8.1.

binding energy per nucleon

/ MeV
2H 1.12
1

1n –
0

4He 7.07
2

Fig. 8.1

(a) Suggest why binding energy per nucleon for the neutron is not quoted.

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

.................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Calculate the mass defect, in kg, of a helium 42He nucleus.

mass defect = .......................................... kg [3]

(c) (i) State the name of the type of reaction illustrated by this nuclear equation.

............................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) Determine the binding energy per nucleon, in MeV, of tritium ( 31 H).

binding energy per nucleon = ....................................... MeV [3]