DP Physics (first assessment 2025)

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Question EXE.2.SL.TZ0.18c

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Date Example questions Example questions Marks available [Maximum mark: 3] Reference code EXE.2.SL.TZ0.18c
Level SL Paper 2 Time zone TZ0
Command term Discuss Question number c Adapted from N/A
c.
[Maximum mark: 3]
EXE.2.SL.TZ0.18c
(c)

Two nuclides present in spent nuclear fuel Cs55137 are  and cerium-144 (Ce58144). The initial activity of a sample of pure Ce58144 is about 40 times greater than the activity of the same amount of pure Cs55137.

Discuss which of the two nuclides is more likely to require long-term storage once removed from the reactor.

[3]

Markscheme

«For the same number of nuclei,» the activity is inversely related to half-life ✓ 

Thus Cs55137 has a longer half-life and will likely require longer storage ✓

Half-lives of their decay products need also be considered when planning storage ✓

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