Nuclear Physics Exam Questions for IGCSE Physics

This guide covers the question types in the nuclear physics section of IGCSE Physics.

Question type 1: Properties of radiation

State the nature, charge, ionising ability and penetrating power of alpha, beta and gamma. Know which materials stop each type.

A common question format is a table where you fill in the properties for each type of radiation.

Question type 2: Half-life from a graph

Read the initial activity. Find the time when the activity reaches half that value. This time interval is the half-life.

Worked example: A graph shows activity starting at 800 counts per minute. It drops to 400 at t = 3 hours. The half-life is 3 hours.

After 6 hours (two half-lives): activity = 800 / 4 = 200 counts per minute.

Question type 3: Half-life calculations

Calculate the remaining activity or number of atoms after a given number of half-lives.

Worked example: A source has an initial activity of 6400 Bq and a half-life of 2 days. What is the activity after 8 days?

8 days = 4 half-lives. Activity = 6400 / 2^4 = 6400 / 16 = 400 Bq.

Question type 4: Nuclear equations (Extended)

Balance nuclear equations for alpha and beta decay. Check that proton number and nucleon number are both conserved.

Question type 5: Uses and safety

State uses of radioactive isotopes (medical tracers, smoke detectors, thickness monitoring, cancer treatment). Explain safety precautions (lead shielding, tongs, minimise time, maximise distance).

Practice approach

Practise half-life graph reading until you can do it quickly. Practise balancing nuclear equations for the Extended paper.