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IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 · Physics · 121

0654.P5.1.03 — Define the terms proton number (atomic number) Z and nucleon number (mass number) A and be able to calculate the number of neutrons in a nuc: past paper questions

5 real questionsasked in 3 of the last 10 exam series2022–2025usually: State, Deduce, Determine, How

Real questions on 0654.p5.1.03 — define the terms proton number (atomic number) z and nucleon number (mass number) a and be able to calculate the number of neutrons in a nuc

The newest 5 of 5 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

  1. 0654/32 · October/November 2025 · Q9b(iii)[1]

    Americium‑241 has the nuclide notation 24915 Am. State the number of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom of americium‑241.

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  2. 0654/31 · May/June 2025 · Q9c(i)[1]

    State the number of protons in an atom of iridium-192. number of protons =

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  3. 0654/31 · May/June 2025 · Q9c(ii)[1]

    Deduce the number of neutrons in an atom of iridium-192. number of neutrons =

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  4. 0654/33 · October/November 2023 · Q9c[1]

    Plutonium-239 is an example of a nuclear fuel. Plutonium-239 has the nuclide notation 239 94 Pu. Determine the number of neutrons in one atom of plutonium-239.

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  5. 0654/22 · May/June 2022 · Q39[1]

    How many neutrons are in the nucleus of this type of beryllium atom?

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What examiners said

Most candidates gave the correct answer. The atomic mass, 192, and the number of neutrons,115, were common incorrect answers.

— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0654/31 Q9(c)(i) (Cambridge)

Most candidates were able to perform the correct calculation. Those that did not often gave 49 or 192.

— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0654/31 Q9(c)(ii) (Cambridge)

Many candidates correctly determined that there are 145 neutrons in one atom of plutonium-239.

— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0654/33 Q9(c) (Cambridge)

Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.

0654.P5.1.03 — Define the terms proton number (atomic number) Z and nucleon number (mass number) A and be able to calculate the number of neutrons in a nuc — IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 past paper questions | AssessPro