Photo AI
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. A \(^{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 two isotopes of iodine, (^{125}{53}I) and (^{131}{53}I), differ in their number of neutrons and protons. Specifically, (^{125}{53}I) has 72 neutrons and 53 protons, while (^{131}{53}I) has 78 neutrons and 53 protons. Thus, the key difference lies in the nucleon count, with (^{131}_{53}I) having 6 more neutrons.
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Discuss three differences between internal conversion and beta (\(\beta\)) decay.
Answer
-
Energy Release Mechanism: Internal conversion involves transferring energy from an excited nucleus to an orbital electron, which is then ejected. In beta ((\beta)) decay, a neutron is transformed into a proton, emitting a beta particle and an antineutrino.
-
Particle Emission: Internal conversion does not emit particles like beta decay does; instead, it releases only electrons. In contrast, beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle ( (\beta^- )) and an antineutrino.
-
Nuclear Changes: Internal conversion leads to no change in the atomic number of the resulting nuclide, while beta decay increases the atomic number by one due to the transformation of a neutron into a proton.