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Question 19N.2.SL.TZ0.b(i)

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Date November 2019 Marks available [Maximum mark: 3] Reference code 19N.2.SL.TZ0.b(i)
Level SL Paper 2 Time zone TZ0
Command term Calculate Question number b(i) Adapted from N/A
b(i).
[Maximum mark: 3]
19N.2.SL.TZ0.b(i)

A stationary nucleus of uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay to form thorium-234.

The following data are available.

Energy released in decay                         4.27 MeV
Binding energy per nucleon for helium      7.07 MeV
Binding energy per nucleon for thorium    7.60 MeV

Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for uranium-238.

[3]

Markscheme

234 × 7.6  OR  4 × 7.07 ✔

BEU =« 234 × 7.6 + 4 × 7.07 – 4.27 =» 1802 « MeV » ✔

BEUA=«1802238=» 7.57 « MeV » ✔

NOTE: Allow ECF from MP2
Award [3] for bald correct answer
Allow conversion to J, final answer is 1.2 × 10–12

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