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Question 19M.2.HL.TZ1.a.iii

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Date May 2019 Marks available [Maximum mark: 1] Reference code 19M.2.HL.TZ1.a.iii
Level HL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Suggest Question number a.iii Adapted from N/A
a.iii.
[Maximum mark: 1]
19M.2.HL.TZ1.a.iii

A beam of electrons each of de Broglie wavelength 2.4 × 10–15 m is incident on a thin film of silicon-30  ( 14 30 Si ) . The variation in the electron intensity of the beam with scattering angle is shown.

Suggest one reason why a beam of electrons is better for investigating the size of a nucleus than a beam of alpha particles of the same energy.

[1]

Markscheme

electron wavelength shorter than alpha particles (thus increased resolution)
OR
electron is not subject to strong nuclear force ✔

 

Examiners report

This question was very poorly answered with the vast majority of candidates simply listing differences between alpha particles and electrons (electrons have less mass, electrons have less charge, etc) rather than considering why high speed electrons would be better for studying the nucleus.

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