DP Physics (first assessment 2025)
Question EXE.2.SL.TZ0.20
| Date | Example questions Example questions | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 5] | Reference code | EXE.2.SL.TZ0.20 |
| Level | SL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | Outline, State | Question number | 20 | Adapted from | N/A |
20.
[Maximum mark: 5]
EXE.2.SL.TZ0.20
(a)
State one source of the radioactive waste products from nuclear fission reactions.
[1]
Markscheme
Fission fragments from the fuel rods
OR activated materials in (e.g.) fuel rod casings
OR nuclei formed by neutron activation from U-235
OR stated products, e.g. Pu, U-236 etc. ✓
(b)
Outline how this waste is treated after it has been removed from the fission reactor.
[4]
Markscheme
Waste (fuel rod) is placed in cooling ponds for a number of years ✓
After most active products have decayed the uranium is separated to be recycled/reprocessed ✓
The remaining highly active waste is vitrified / made into a solid form ✓
And stored (deep) underground ✓
