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Two isotopes of iodine are \\(^{125}_{53}I\\) and \\(^{131}_{53}I\\) - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 1 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 1
Two isotopes of iodine are \\(^{125}_{53}I\\) and \\(^{131}_{53}I\\). Determine, for these two isotopes, the difference between the constituents of the nuclei. [1... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Two isotopes of iodine are \\(^{125}_{53}I\\) and \\(^{131}_{53}I\\) - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 1 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Determine, for these two isotopes, the difference between the constituents of the nuclei.
Answer
The isotopes of iodine differ in their nucleon numbers. \n(^{125}{53}I\) has 72 protons and 53 neutrons, while \n(^{131}{53}I\) has 78 protons and 53 neutrons. \nThus, \n\(^{131}{53}I\) has 6 more neutrons than \n\(^{125}{53}I\).
Step 2
Step 3
State two differences between the constituents of the iodine nucleus and the tellurium nucleus it decays into.
Answer
- The tellurium nucleus formed from \(^ {125}{53}I\) has one more neutron than the iodine nucleus. \n(^{125}{53}I\): 53 protons, 72 neutrons. \n(^{126}_{52}Te\): 52 protons, 73 neutrons. \n
- The tellurium nucleus has one less proton compared to the iodine nucleus.
Step 4
Discuss three differences between internal conversion and beta (β) decay.
Answer
- In internal conversion, only an electron is emitted, while in beta decay, both an electron and an anti-neutrino are released. \n\n2. Internal conversion involves the transition of energy from the nucleus to an orbital electron without changing the nuclear structure, whereas beta decay results in a change in the identity of the nucleus. \n\n3. The energy transfer in internal conversion affects only the orbital electrons, while beta decay includes a transformation of a neutron into a proton, emitting a beta particle.