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Radioactive decay past paper questions

O Level Physics 5054 · Radioactivity. 1 Know that radioactive decay is a change in an unstable nucleus that can result in the emission of α-particles or β-particles and/or γ-radiation and know that these changes are spontaneous and random 2 Use decay equations, using nuclide notation, to show the emission of α-particles, β-particles and γ-radiation

In Cambridge O Level Physics 5054, Radioactive decay came up in 18 of the 72 papers on Paperstreak, for about 3 marks a paper when it does. It last came up in October/November 2025.

Often set with The nucleus, The three types of emission, Half-life, Detection of radioactivity.

18 questions, newest first

1. 5054/12/O/N/25 Question 37 · 1 mark
2. 5054/21/O/N/25 Question 8 part (b) · 3 marks
3. 5054/22/O/N/25 Question 8 part (c(ii)) · 2 marks
4. 5054/11/M/J/25 Question 36 · 1 mark
5. 5054/21/O/N/24 Question 8 parts (b(i)) (c(ii)) · 4 marks
6. 5054/22/O/N/24 Question 8 parts (b(i)) (b(ii)) · 2 marks
7. 5054/22/O/N/23 Question 9 part (b(iii)) · 2 marks
8. 5054/11/M/J/23 Question 36 · 1 mark
9. 5054/21/M/J/23 Question 10 part (a) · 2 marks
10. 5054/22/O/N/22 Question 9 parts (a) (c(iii)) · 4 marks
11. 5054/22/M/J/22 Question 9 part (a(iii)) · 4 marks
12. 5054/21/O/N/21 Question 10 parts (b) (c(iv)) · 5 marks
13. 5054/22/O/N/21 Question 6 part (a) · 2 marks
14. 5054/11/M/J/21 Question 38 · 1 mark
15. 5054/22/M/J/21 Question 11 part (d) · 3 marks
16. 5054/22/O/N/20 Question 6 part (b(i)) · 1 mark
17. 5054/21/M/J/20 Question 7 part (a) · 2 marks
18. 5054/22/M/J/20 Question 7 parts (b(i)) (b(ii)) (c(ii)) · 5 marks

More in Radioactivity: Detection of radioactivity, The three types of emission, Fission and fusion, Half-life, Safety precautions.

Questions and mark schemes from Cambridge International past papers. Paperstreak isn't affiliated with Cambridge.