SmarterEd

Aussie Maths & Science Teachers: Save your time with SmarterEd

PHYSICS, M8 2022 VCE 3 MC

Particles emitted from a radioactive source travel through a magnetic field, , directed into the page, as shown schematically in the diagram below.

Three particles, and , follow the paths indicated by the arrows.
 

Which of the following correctly identifies the charges on particles and ?

Show Answers Only

Show Worked Solution

→ must have no charge as it travels through the magnetic field with no deflection.

→ Using the right-hand rule, the force on a positive charge would be up the page, hence must be the positive charge.

PHYSICS, M8 2023 HSC 11 MC

The chart shows part of a nuclear decay series beginning with uranium.
 


 

Which option correctly identifies and and the process by which each was produced?

 

Show Answers Only

Show Worked Solution

→ During the decay process producing , the Atomic number decreases by 2 to 90 and the Mass number decreases by 4 to 234

→ Alpha decay producing 

→ During the decay process producing , the Atomic number increases by 1 to 91 and the Mass number does not change. 

→ Beta decay producing

PHYSICS, M8 EQ-Bank 17 MC

The graph shown plots isotopes in terms of their numbers of protons and neutrons. When an isotope undergoes nuclear decay, it will move to a different location on the graph. The movement can be represented with an arrow.
 

Which arrow would correctly describe beta negative decay on the graph?
 

Show Answers Only

Show Worked Solution

→ In decay, a neutron is converted into a proton and an electron.

→ The number of neutrons decreases by one and the number of protons increase by one.

→ This corresponds to a movement downwards and to the right on the graph.

PHYSICS M6 2022 HSC 3 MC

A radioisotope emits radiation which is deflected by an electric field, as shown.
 


 

What type of radiation is this?

  1. Alpha
  2. Gamma
  3. Beta positive (positron)
  4. Beta negative (electron)
Show Answers Only

Show Worked Solution

The radiation experiences a force of attraction towards the positive plate.

→ it must be negatively charged.

PHYSICS, M8 2021 HSC 19 MC

Rh-106 is a metallic, beta-emitting radioisotope with a half-life of 30 seconds.

A sample of Rh-106 and an electrode are placed inside an evacuated chamber. They are connected to a galvanometer and a variable DC power supply.
 

A student measures the current, , when the power supply is set to zero. They then measure the stopping voltage, . The stopping voltage is the minimum voltage needed to prevent current flowing.

A few minutes later, these measurements are repeated.

How do the TWO sets of measurements compare?

  1. Only changes.
  2. Only changes.
  3. Both and change.
  4. Neither nor changes.
Show Answers Only

Show Worked Solution

Due to the short half life of the isotope, there will be significantly less present when the second reading is made.

→ Lower rate of emission of electrons → Lower recorded current

The energy of emitted electrons will remain the same → Voltage will not change


♦ Mean mark 29%.