Figure 8 is the symbol for a nucleus of americium-241. Am241 is a radioactive isotope of americium. Americium-241 decays by emitting alpha (α) particles. (i) Which of these is the symbol for another radioactive isotope of americium? A 241Am B 243Am C 245Am D 247Am (ii) Which of these is the approximate maximum distance that alpha particles can travel in air at normal atmospheric pressure? A 5mm B 5cm C 5m D 5km (iii) Complete the equation in Figure 9 for americium-241 decaying into neptunium (Np). 24195Am → α + Np

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Figure 8 is the symbol for a nucleus of americium-241 - Edexcel - GCSE Physics: Combined Science - Question 5 - 2023 - Paper 1

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Figure 8 is the symbol for a nucleus of americium-241. Am241 is a radioactive isotope of americium. Americium-241 decays by emitting alpha (α) particles. (i) Whic... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 8 is the symbol for a nucleus of americium-241 - Edexcel - GCSE Physics: Combined Science - Question 5 - 2023 - Paper 1

Step 1

Which of these is the symbol for another radioactive isotope of americium?

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Answer

The symbol for another radioactive isotope of americium is $\text{C} \ \text{A}_{\ 245}^{\ 95} \text{Am}$ . This indicates that it is a separate isotope with a different mass number.

Step 2

Which of these is the approximate maximum distance that alpha particles can travel in air at normal atmospheric pressure?

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Answer

The approximate maximum distance that alpha particles can travel in air at normal atmospheric pressure is $\text{B} \ 5 \text{cm}$ . This is the distance typically observed for alpha particles.

Step 3

Complete the equation in Figure 9 for americium-241 decaying into neptunium (Np).

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Answer

The completed equation for americium-241 decaying into neptunium is:

^{241}_{95} \text{Am} \rightarrow \; \alpha + \, ^{237}_{93} \text{Np}

In this reaction, americium-241 emits an alpha particle and transforms into neptunium-237.

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