DP Physics (last assessment 2024)

Test builder »

Question 21M.2.HL.TZ1.7c

Select a Test
Date May 2021 Marks available [Maximum mark: 4] Reference code 21M.2.HL.TZ1.7c
Level HL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Compare and contrast Question number c Adapted from N/A
c.
[Maximum mark: 4]
21M.2.HL.TZ1.7c

Radioactive uranium-238 U92238 produces a series of decays ending with a stable nuclide of lead. The nuclides in the series decay by either alpha (α) or beta-minus (β−) processes.

(c)

The half-life of uranium-238 is about 4.5 × 109 years. The half-life of thallium-206 is about 4.2 minutes.

Compare and contrast the methods to measure these half-lives.

[4]

Markscheme

measure «radio»activity/«radioactive» decay/A for either
OR
take measurements with a Geiger counter. ✓

for Uranium measure number/N of radioactive atoms/OWTTE ✓

for Thalium measure «rate of» change in activity over time. ✓

correct connection for either Uranium or Thalium to determine half life ✓ 

Syllabus sections