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Chapter 6 Practice Paper: Atoms and isotopes — question paper

QuizQuipPractice Series
QQ/GCSE-PHYS/CH6

GCSE (9–1) · GCSE Physics (Foundation and Higher)

Chapter 6 Practice Paper

Atoms and isotopes

Duration: 40 minutes
Total: 30 marks
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READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

  • Answer all questions.
  • Section A contains ten multiple-choice questions. Choose one answer, A, B, C or D, for each.
  • Section B contains structured questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
  • You may use a calculator.
  • The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
  • The total mark for this paper is 30.

Original practice material written for the MOE GCSE Physics syllabus. It is not an official MOE or school examination paper. Chapter 6: subatomic particles, atomic scales, the changing model of the atom and alpha scattering, isotopes and nuclide notation, ions, and Higher-tier fission and fusion.

For Examiner’s Use
Section A/ 10
Section B/ 20
Total/ 30

Section A: Multiple-choice questions[10 marks]

Choose one answer for each question. Each question is worth 1 mark.

  1. 1

    The particle with a relative charge of −1 is the

    1. Aproton
    2. Bneutron
    3. Celectron
    4. Dalpha particle
    ( )
  2. 2

    In the symbol ᴬZX, the top number A totals the

    1. Aprotons and neutrons
    2. Bneutrons only
    3. Cprotons
    4. Delectrons
    ( )
  3. 3

    Compared with an atom, its nucleus is

    1. Aabout the same size
    2. Bless than 1/10 000 of the radius
    3. Chalf the radius
    4. Dten times bigger
    ( )
  4. 4

    Alpha particles were fired at gold foil. The particles that passed straight through showed that atoms

    1. Aare solid
    2. Bare negative
    3. Cabsorb radiation
    4. Dare mostly empty space
    ( )
  5. 5

    The scientist who discovered the neutron was

    1. AThomson
    2. BBohr
    3. CChadwick
    4. DDalton
    ( )
  6. 6

    Isotopes of the same element differ in their number of

    1. Aprotons
    2. Belectrons
    3. Cshells
    4. Dneutrons
    ( )
  7. 7

    ²³⁸₉₂U contains how many neutrons?

    1. A146
    2. B92
    3. C238
    4. D184
    ( )
  8. 8

    A positive ion forms when an atom

    1. Agains electrons
    2. Bloses electrons
    3. Cgains protons
    4. Dloses neutrons
    ( )
  9. 9

    Nuclear fusion happens in

    1. Areactor cores
    2. Bgold foil
    3. Csmoke alarms
    4. Dthe centres of stars
    ( )
  10. 10

    In a reactor, control rods work by

    1. Aabsorbing surplus neutrons
    2. Bcooling the fuel
    3. Cspeeding up fission
    4. Dstoring energy
    ( )

Section B: Structured questions[20 marks]

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

  1. 11

    A potassium ion is written ³⁹₁₉K⁺.

    1. (a)

      Count each type of particle inside this potassium ion.

      [3]
    2. (b)

      Explain why the ion’s charge is positive.

      [1]
    3. (c)

      State how the ion’s chemical identity compares with the neutral atom’s.

      [1]
  2. 12

    This question is about the alpha-scattering experiment and the models of the atom.

    1. (a)

      Describe the plum pudding model.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      Describe the two observations that the plum pudding model could not explain.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      Explain what these observations proved about the atom.

      [3]
    4. (d)

      Name the model that replaced the plum pudding.

      [1]
    5. (e)

      State what Bohr added to this model.

      [1]
  3. 13

    This question is about isotopes and nuclear processes. Hydrogen has isotopes ¹₁H and ³₁H. (Higher)

    1. (a)

      State the number of neutrons in each isotope.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      Explain why both isotopes have identical chemical reactions.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      Name the nuclear process in which these two isotopes can join together, and state where it happens naturally.

      [2]

— End of paper —