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Carbon-13 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 1

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Carbon-13 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon. Nuclei of carbon-13 and carbon-14 can be represented by these symbols \( \frac{13}{6}C \) and \( \frac{14}{6}C \) ... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Carbon-13 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 1

Step 1

Complete the table for an atom of carbon-13

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Answer

For carbon-13, the number of neutrons is 7, calculated as follows:

Number of neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number = 13 - 6 = 7.

The number of electrons in carbon-13 is equal to the atomic number, which is 6.

ItemValue
Neutrons7
Electrons6

Step 2

Complete the table for an atom of carbon-14

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Answer

For carbon-14, the number of neutrons is 8, calculated as follows:

Number of neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number = 14 - 6 = 8.

The number of electrons in carbon-14 is also equal to the atomic number, which is 6.

ItemValue
Neutrons8
Electrons6

Step 3

State the name of an instrument that can be used to measure radioactivity.

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Answer

An instrument used to measure radioactivity is called a Geiger counter.

Step 4

State two sources of background radiation.

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Answer

  1. Cosmic radiation from outer space.
  2. Radon gas emitted from the ground.

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