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Beryllium-9 is a stable isotope of beryllium - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 4 - 2013 - Paper 1

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Beryllium-9 is a stable isotope of beryllium. (i) State the meaning of the term stable. (ii) Beryllium-9 has an atomic number of 4 and a mass number of 9. A nucleu... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Beryllium-9 is a stable isotope of beryllium - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 4 - 2013 - Paper 1

Step 1

State the meaning of the term stable.

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Answer

The term stable means that the atom does not emit (ionising) radiation or does not undergo radioactive decay.

Step 2

Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer. The number of neutrons in this nucleus is

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Answer

The number of neutrons in a nucleus can be calculated using the formula:

Number of neutrons=Mass numberAtomic number\text{Number of neutrons} = \text{Mass number} - \text{Atomic number}

Substituting the values for Beryllium-9: Neutrons=94=5\text{Neutrons} = 9 - 4 = 5

Thus, you would put a cross (X) next to option 5.

Step 3

Which one of these symbols describes the nucleus of a different isotope of beryllium?

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Answer

The correct symbol for a different isotope of beryllium would be:

48Be\mathbf{^{8}_{4}Be} Put a cross (X) next to choice A.

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