Lesson 8.1.1

8.1.1 Nucleon and proton number and alpha particle scattering Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 8

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 8.1.1, Nucleon and proton number and alpha particle scattering: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Physics (9PH0), Unit 8: Nuclear and Particle Physics, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What total count does the nucleon number of a nucleus represent?

    • Neutrons only
    • Protons only
    • Protons and neutrons
    • Protons and electrons

  2. What quantity is defined by the proton number of an atomic nucleus?

    • Number of leptons
    • Number of neutrons
    • Number of protons
    • Total nucleons

  3. How many neutrons are in a nucleus of uranium-235, written as the nuclide ^235_92 U?

    • 327
    • 143
    • 92
    • 235

  4. What happened to most alpha particles directed at thin gold foil in Rutherford's experiment?

    • Reflected straight back
    • Absorbed completely
    • Deflected by 90°
    • Passed straight through

  5. What feature of an atom was proven by the rare large-angle deflection of alpha particles?

    • Uniform positive sphere
    • Outer electron cloud
    • Small dense nucleus
    • Diffused central mass

  6. How many neutrons are in an atom of iron-56, written as ^56_26 Fe?

    • 30
    • 56
    • 82
    • 26

  7. How many neutrons are in an atom of carbon-14, written as ^14_6 C?

    • 14
    • 6
    • 20
    • 8

  8. An isotope of chlorine has 17 protons and 20 neutrons. What is its nucleon number?

    • 20
    • 3
    • 17
    • 37

  9. A neutral atom of lithium-7 has nucleon number 7 and proton number 3. How many electrons does it have?

    • 10
    • 7
    • 3
    • 4

  10. Which force causes alpha particles to deflect when approaching a gold nucleus?

    • Magnetic repulsion
    • Electrostatic repulsion
    • Gravitational attraction
    • Strong force attraction

  11. Why were large-angle deflections of alpha particles extremely rare in Rutherford's scattering experiment?

    • Excessively thick foil
    • Small nuclear size
    • Uncharged atomic nucleus
    • Negative alpha charge

  12. What is the nucleon number of an alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus, written as ^4_2 He?

    • 2
    • 4
    • 8
    • 6

  13. The radius of an atom is approximately 10^-10 m and the radius of its nucleus is approximately 10^-15 m. Roughly how many times larger is the atom than its nucleus?

    • a quadrillion times, or 10^15
    • 100000 times, or 10^5
    • 1000 times, or 10^3
    • 10 billion times, or 10^10

  14. An atom has proton number 6 and nucleon number 13. How many neutrons does it have?

    • 6
    • 7
    • 19
    • 13

  15. Which change to the target foil increases the proportion of alpha particles scattered through large angles?

    • Higher proton number
    • Uncharged target nuclei
    • Lower proton number
    • Thinner target foil

  16. What relationship exists between carbon-12 and carbon-14 nuclei?

    • They are isotopes
    • They are isobars
    • They are isomers
    • They are allotropes

  17. How many neutrons does a nucleus of uranium-238, written as ^238_92 U, contain?

    • 92
    • 330
    • 146
    • 238

  18. A nucleus with nucleon number 210 and proton number 84 emits an alpha particle. What are the nucleon number and proton number of the new nucleus?

    • A = 206 and Z = 86
    • A = 208 and Z = 84
    • A = 206 and Z = 82
    • A = 206 and Z = 84

  19. Why did Rutherford deduce that the atomic nucleus carries a positive charge?

    • Electron deflection
    • Neutron repulsion
    • Alpha particle absorption
    • Alpha particle repulsion

  20. Where are electrons located relative to the nucleus in the nuclear atomic model?

    • Outside the nucleus
    • Inside the nucleus
    • Bound to neutrons
    • Uniformly mixed throughout

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