Carbon-13 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 2
Carbon-13 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon.
Nuclei of carbon-13 and carbon-14 can be represented by these symbols
\[^{13}_{6}C\] and \[^{14}_{6}C\]
Complete th... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Carbon-13 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Complete the table for carbon-13
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Answer
For carbon-13, the number of neutrons in the nucleus is 7 (13 - 6 = 7), and the number of electrons in orbit around the nucleus is 6, as it is a neutral atom.
Step 2
Complete the table for carbon-14
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Answer
For carbon-14, the number of neutrons in the nucleus is 8 (14 - 6 = 8), and the number of electrons in orbit around the nucleus remains 6.
Step 3
State the name of an instrument that can be used to measure radioactivity.
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Answer
The instrument that can be used to measure radioactivity is a Geiger (Müller) counter.
Step 4
State two sources of background radiation.
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Answer
Two sources of background radiation include cosmic rays and radiation from natural sources such as rocks or soil.
