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IGCSE · 5 · multiple choice

Nuclear physics · Question 3

Nuclear physics · Original GioPhysics question with a detailed, mark-by-mark answer guide.

Demand
routine
Marks
1
Topics
1
Answer
Complete
multiple choice1 mark

A sample of a radioactive isotope has an activity of 800 Bq. The half-life of the isotope is 6.0 hours. What is the activity after 24 hours?

  1. A

    0 Bq

  2. B

    50 Bq

  3. C

    200 Bq

  4. D

    400 Bq

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Answer overviewCorrect answer: B — 50 Bq
01

Answer and reasoning

1 mark
How to approach it

Predict from the governing principle before looking for a matching option. Then reject alternatives by checking direction, units, limiting behaviour or the physical meaning of each statement.

  1. 1

    The correct choice is B: 50 Bq

  2. 2

    24 hours is four half-lives, so the activity is halved four times: 800 → 400 → 200 → 100 → 50. C and D are the answers of candidates who stop after one or two halvings.

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