The nucleus: past paper questions
Real questions on the nucleus
The newest 20 of 27 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q10a(i)[1]
protons in one nucleus of americium‑241
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q10a(ii)[1]
neutrons in one nucleus of americium‑241. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · May/June 2026 · Q10b[1]
Americium‑241 and americium‑242 are isotopes of americium. The mass number of americium‑242 is 242. Give the nuclide notation for americium‑242.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q9b(i)[1]
Determine the number of protons in a nucleus of lithium-7. number of protons =
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · May/June 2026 · Q9b(ii)[1]
Determine the number of neutrons in a nucleus of lithium-7. number of neutrons =
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q9b(i)[1]
Determine the number of protons in a nucleus of lithium-7. number of protons =
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q9b(ii)[1]
Determine the number of neutrons in a nucleus of lithium-7. number of neutrons =
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · May/June 2026 · Q9a(i)[1]
State one similarity and one difference in the composition of the nuclei of atoms of different isotopes of the same element. similarity (i)
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q10a[2]
State the similarity and the difference between the composition of the nuclei of carbon-14 and carbon-11. similarity
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q10b(i)[2]
Complete the nuclear equation for the decay.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q10b(ii)[1]
State the change that occurs in the carbon-14 nucleus during the decay.
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · May/June 2025 · Q10a(i)[1]
Determine which two nuclides have the same number of nucleons.
See it on the paper → - 0625/31 · May/June 2025 · Q10a(ii)[3]
Determine which nuclide has the largest number of neutrons.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · May/June 2025 · Q10a(i)[1]
State the number of protons in one nucleus of radon-222. number of protons = (i)
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · May/June 2025 · Q10a(ii)[1]
number of neutrons = Determine the number of neutrons in one nucleus of radon-222. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2025 · Q9a(i)[3]
Suggest how the nucleus of a stable isotope of strontium differs from a nucleus of strontium-90. Explain your answer. suggestion explanation
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2025 · Q11b[1]
State the relative charge on an alpha particle.
See it on the paper → - 0625/33 · October/November 2024 · Q10b[2]
Isotopes of copper (Cu) include: Cu - 63 and Cu - 65. Explain what is meant by ‘isotopes of copper’.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · October/November 2024 · Q8a(i)[1]
Describe one difference between fission and fusion.
See it on the paper → - 0625/21 · May/June 2023 · Q34[1]
Which is an isotope of element X?
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Generally, candidates’ knowledge of what is meant by nucleons was not secure. Many candidates gained credit but almost every possible pairing of nuclides was seen. Some candidates only gave one nuclide as their answer. Candidates would benefit from practice in determining the numbers of sub-atomic particles in different isotopes of nuclides.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/31 Q10(a)(i) (Cambridge)
A poor understanding of how to use nuclide notation was evident here. Many candidates correctly identified Pu-241 as having the most neutrons with 147, but more thought it was Am-241 because 241 + 95 was the biggest number.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/31 Q10(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
(i)(ii) A good understanding of the nuclear notation for isotopes was seen.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0625/32 Q10(a) (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.