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E.3 Radioactive decay - IB Questionbank | RevisionDojo

Practice E.3 Radioactive decay with authentic IB Physics exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 structure, covering key topics like mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.

Paper

Level

Question 1

HLPaper 2

In an experiment, a beam of neutrons is used to induce artificial transmutation of stable $^{27}_{13}Al$ nuclei, producing radioactive $^{28}_{13}Al$ , which undergoes $\beta^-$ decay with a half-life of 2.25 minutes.

Write an equation for the neutron-induced transmutation reaction.

[1]

Write an equation for the subsequent $\beta^-$ decay of $^{28}Al$ .

[1]

Calculate the activity of a sample containing $4.0 \times 10^{15}$ atoms of $^{28}_{13}Al$ .

[2]

Determine the number of atoms remaining after 6.75 minutes.

[2]

Explain the role of neutron activation in nuclear physics and suggest a practical application.

[2]

Question 2

HLPaper 2

The graph shows the activity of a radioactive sample as a function of time.

Define the term activity as used in radioactive decay.

[1]

Use the graph to determine the half-life of the sample. Show your working.

[2]

Calculate the decay constant $\lambda$ of the sample using your answer to Part 2.

[2]

The number of undecayed nuclei at time $t$ is given by $N = N_0 e^{-\lambda t}$ . Deduce the expression for the half-life in terms of the decay constant.

[2]

A detector used to measure this sample's activity has a $\pm 10\%$ uncertainty in its readings. Discuss the effect of this uncertainty on the accuracy of your half-life determination.

[2]

Explain how this graph supports the probabilistic nature of radioactive decay.

[2]

Question 3

SLPaper 1A

Which of the following is true about mass-energy changes in nuclear decay?

Question 4

HLPaper 1A

An isotope of mass number $A=1000$ has a binding energy per nucleon of $8.7\ \mathrm{MeV}$ . What is the total energy released if $0.010\ \mathrm{mol}$ of this isotope is formed from separated nucleons?

Question 5

SLPaper 2

In the context of nuclear energy, the principle of mass-energy equivalence plays a crucial role in understanding how energy is released during radioactive decay. This principle is foundational in the development of sustainable energy sources.

Explain the concept of mass defect and its relation to binding energy.

[2]

Calculate the energy released when 1 g of uranium-238 undergoes complete decay, using the equation $E = mc^2$ .

[3]

Discuss how the mass-energy equivalence principle is applied in the context of nuclear power generation and its implications for sustainable energy.

[3]

Question 6

HLPaper 1A

A pure sample of iodine-131 decays into xenon with a half-life of 8 days.

What is ${\frac{\text{number of iodine atoms remaining}}{\text{number of xenon atoms formed}}}$ after 24 days?

Question 7

HLPaper 1A

When the nucleus $^{14}_{7}N$ is bombarded with alpha particles the following nuclear reaction can occur.

$^{14}_{7}N + ^{4}_{2}He \rightarrow ^{17}_{8}O + X$

The particle X is a

Question 8

SLPaper 1A

A graph of the variation of average binding energy per nucleon with nucleon number has a maximum. What is indicated by the region around the maximum?

Question 9

HLPaper 1A

The mass of a nucleus of iron-56 ( $_{26}^{56}\text{Fe}$ ) is $M$ .

What is the mass defect of the nucleus of iron-56?

Question 10

SLPaper 1A

In a neutral atom there are $n_{\mathrm{e}}$ electrons, $n_{\mathrm{p}}$ protons and $n_{\mathrm{n}}$ neutrons. What is the mass number of the nuclide?

E.3 Radioactive decay Questionbank