Theory: answer each printed part. For drawings, upload a clear photo of your sketch on the supplied figure; show working and units for calculations.
Carbon-14 is an isotope of carbon. It undergoes radioactive decay with a half-life of 6000 years. The age of a sample of wood is found using the carbon-14 that it contains.
(a)Describe what happens during radioactive decay.
Answer guidance
Describe Say what happens, in order. Reasons are not required unless the question also asks why.
[2 marks]
(b)The count rate of the carbon-14 in the sample of wood is initially 1600 counts/minute. On Fig. 10.1 draw a graph to show how the count rate will vary over the next 24 000 years. The initial count rate is already marked with an x.
[2 marks]
(c)Name the apparatus used to measure the radiation from the sample of wood and describe how it is used to measure the count rate.
Answer guidance
State A short answer. No explanation is needed, and adding one cannot earn extra marks.
[2 marks]
(d)Describe how the count rate from a sample of wood is used to find its age.
Answer guidance
Describe Say what happens, in order. Reasons are not required unless the question also asks why.
[2 marks]
5054/21/M/J/23Cambridge O Level Physics 5054 · May/June 2023 · Paper 2 variant 1 · Question 10