Practice multiple choice questions - Radioactivity
Multiple choice questions appear in both exam papers, and at both Tiers. Multiple choice questions are asked as questions, often starting with 'What is …' or 'Which of these …'.
You have four options to choose from in a multiple choice question. You must only choose one of these options, by writing your answer (A, B, C, or D) in a box.
It may help to reject any answers that you feel are obviously wrong, so that you can focus on choosing the right answer.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
What is the number of neutrons in this isotope of uranium? [1 mark]
\(_{92}^{238}U\)
| A | 92 | |
| B | 119 | |
| C | 146 | |
| D | 238 |
| A |
|---|
| 92 |
| B |
|---|
| 119 |
| C |
|---|
| 146 |
| D |
|---|
| 238 |
OCR Gateway Science, GCE Physics, Paper J249, 2016.
| A | 92 | |
| B | 119 | |
| C | 146 | ✔ |
| D | 238 |
| A |
|---|
| 92 |
| B |
|---|
| 119 |
| C |
|---|
| 146 |
| ✔ |
| D |
|---|
| 238 |
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
All radioactive sources have a half-life.
Which statement about the half-life of a source is correct? [1 mark]
| A | It is half the time for the radioactive source to become safe | |
| B | It is half the time it takes for an atom to decay | |
| C | It is half the time it takes the activity of the source to decrease to zero | |
| D | It is the time it takes the activity of the source to decrease by half |
| A |
|---|
| It is half the time for the radioactive source to become safe |
| B |
|---|
| It is half the time it takes for an atom to decay |
| C |
|---|
| It is half the time it takes the activity of the source to decrease to zero |
| D |
|---|
| It is the time it takes the activity of the source to decrease by half |
OCR Gateway Science, GCE Physics, Paper J249, 2016.
| A | It is half the time for the radioactive source to become safe | |
| B | It is half the time it takes for an atom to decay | |
| C | It is half the time it takes the activity of the source to decrease to zero | |
| D | It is the time it takes the activity of the source to decrease by half | ✔ |
| A |
|---|
| It is half the time for the radioactive source to become safe |
| B |
|---|
| It is half the time it takes for an atom to decay |
| C |
|---|
| It is half the time it takes the activity of the source to decrease to zero |
| D |
|---|
| It is the time it takes the activity of the source to decrease by half |
| ✔ |
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Which statement describes nuclear fusion? [1 mark]
| A | Two hydrogen nuclei join to form a helium nucleus | |
| B | A helium nucleus joins with a hydrogen nucleus to form an alpha particle | |
| C | Uranium nuclei split and produce high energy neutrons causing a chain reaction | |
| D | Two helium nuclei join to form a hydrogen nucleus |
| A |
|---|
| Two hydrogen nuclei join to form a helium nucleus |
| B |
|---|
| A helium nucleus joins with a hydrogen nucleus to form an alpha particle |
| C |
|---|
| Uranium nuclei split and produce high energy neutrons causing a chain reaction |
| D |
|---|
| Two helium nuclei join to form a hydrogen nucleus |
OCR Gateway Science, GCE Physics, Paper J249, 2016 - Higher.
| A | Two hydrogen nuclei join to form a helium nucleus | ✔ |
| B | A helium nucleus joins with a hydrogen nucleus to form an alpha particle | |
| C | Uranium nuclei split and produce high energy neutrons causing a chain reaction | |
| D | Two helium nuclei join to form a hydrogen nucleus |
| A |
|---|
| Two hydrogen nuclei join to form a helium nucleus |
| ✔ |
| B |
|---|
| A helium nucleus joins with a hydrogen nucleus to form an alpha particle |
| C |
|---|
| Uranium nuclei split and produce high energy neutrons causing a chain reaction |
| D |
|---|
| Two helium nuclei join to form a hydrogen nucleus |
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
A radioactive source has a half-life of 80 s.
How long will it take for 7/8 of the source to decay? [1 mark]
| A | 10 s | |
| B | 70 s | |
| C | 240 s | |
| D | 640 s |
| A |
|---|
| 10 s |
| B |
|---|
| 70 s |
| C |
|---|
| 240 s |
| D |
|---|
| 640 s |
OCR Gateway Science, GCE Physics, Paper J249, 2016 - Higher.
| A | 10 s | |
| B | 70 s | |
| C | 240 s | ✔ |
| D | 640 s |
| A |
|---|
| 10 s |
| B |
|---|
| 70 s |
| C |
|---|
| 240 s |
| ✔ |
| D |
|---|
| 640 s |
