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PHY3 CJune 2004

This document contains questions about nuclear and particle physics: 1) It asks about experiments used to discover the structure of the proton and atom, and calculates the density of calcium-40 nuclei. 2) It asks about writing the particles emitted in uranium decay and counting alpha particles emitted in the full decay series. 3) It involves sketching the beta particle energy spectrum from a source and explaining how this led to predicting antineutrinos. 4) It asks about similarities and differences between particles and antiparticles, as well as quark composition and baryon number of antiprotons. It discusses difficulties storing antiprotons for collisions at CERN.

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34 views

PHY3 CJune 2004

This document contains questions about nuclear and particle physics: 1) It asks about experiments used to discover the structure of the proton and atom, and calculates the density of calcium-40 nuclei. 2) It asks about writing the particles emitted in uranium decay and counting alpha particles emitted in the full decay series. 3) It involves sketching the beta particle energy spectrum from a source and explaining how this led to predicting antineutrinos. 4) It asks about similarities and differences between particles and antiparticles, as well as quark composition and baryon number of antiprotons. It discusses difficulties storing antiprotons for collisions at CERN.

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api-3726022
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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PHY3 JUNE 2004 - TOPIC C - NUCLEAR & PARTICLE PHYSICS 30 minutes 1

Topic C - Nuclear and Particle Physics


3. (a) Name the experiment which was used to find out about the structure of (i) the proton; (ii) the atom [2]
Show that the radius of a nucleus of calcium 40Ca is approximately 4 x 10 -15 m (ro = 1.2 x 10 -15 m ). [2]
Hence calculate the density of a calcium nucleus. (u = 1.66 x 10 -27 kg) [3]

(b) Part of the uranium decay series is shown below.

On a copy of this, write above each arrow the charged particle emitted during that decay. [2]

The stable end product of the complete uranium decay series is lead, 20682Pb.
How many alpha particles are emitted between 22688Ra and the end of the series? [1]

(c) On a copy of the axes below sketch a graph showing the energy spectrum of the β - particles
leaving a typical source. [2]

Explain how this energy spectrum led to the prediction of the existence of the antineutrino. You may be awarded a mark
for the clarity of your answer. [4]

(d) Give one similarity and one difference between an antiparticle and its particle pair. [2]
What is the quark composition of an antiproton? [1]
State the baryon number of the antiproton. [1]

At CERN protons and antiprotons, each of energy 45 GeV, were collided when trying to create W and Z particles. The
antiprotons had to be stored until enough of them were available to be accelerated to the required energy. Explain why it
is difficult to store antiprotons. [2]
What is the maximum possible mass which can be created from such a collision? Give your answer in u. [3]
Give two reasons why the following interaction cannot take place.

Complete a copy of the table opposite to show


the three different fundamental interactions and
exchange particles involved in these decays. [4]

State the fundamental interaction not given in


your table. [1]

Total 32 marks

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