# 9702 P1 Atoms, nuclei and radiation Topic Questions

> CIE IAL 9702 P1: every Atoms, nuclei and radiation topic question from 12 papers (2025–2026), grouped by syllabus point. 27 questions, 27 marks, with direct…

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CIE IAL · Physics · 9702 P1 · A Level

Every 9702 P1 Atoms, nuclei and radiation topic question from the 2025–2027 syllabus, drawn from 12 papers (2025–2026) and grouped by syllabus point. Each row opens a page listing the exact question numbers, marks and a direct link into the paper. These are questions by topic, not full papers, so you can revise one topic at a time.

- 9702 P1
- 12 subtopics
- 27 topic questions
- 12 papers
- 27 tagged marks
- [Back to Atoms, nuclei and radiation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/)
- [All paper codes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/)

Core finding

**11 represent …- and …-decay by a radioactive decay equation of the… is the most frequently assessed subtopic in Atoms, nuclei and radiation, with 10 topic questions and 10 marks across 10 papers.** 6 understand that nucleon number and charge are conserved… follows with 8 topic questions and 8 marks. The topic contains 12 subtopics, 27 topic questions and 27 marks in total. Rows count only the parts tagged to that subtopic, keep the same colour in both charts and repeat paper count, tagged marks and year range in the native table.

## Topic question count and mark distribution

Subtopics are on the vertical axis and sorted from highest to lowest. Only the parts whose knowledge graph matches a subtopic are counted for it, and percentages are each row's share of the tagged total in that chart. A part tagged to several subtopics is counted in each bar, so the bars are not a partition of the topic total.

### Questions by subtopic

question items

- [11 represent $\alpha$- and $\beta$-decay by a radioactive decay equation of the form $^{238}_{92}U \rightarrow ^{234}_{90}Th + ^{4}_{2}\alpha$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/11-represent-alpha-and-beta-decay-by-a-radioactive-decay-equation-of-the-form-238-92/) (10 papers) — 10 · 22.2%
- [6 understand that nucleon number and charge are conserved in nuclear processes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/6-understand-that-nucleon-number-and-charge-are-conserved-in-nuclear-processes/) (8 papers) — 8 · 17.8%
- [3 distinguish between nucleon number and proton number](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/3-distinguish-between-nucleon-number-and-proton-number/) (4 papers) — 4 · 8.9%
- [4 understand that isotopes are forms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/4-understand-that-isotopes-are-forms-of-the-same-element-with-different-numbers-of/) (4 papers) — 4 · 8.9%
- [9 state that (electron) antineutrinos are produced during $\beta^{-}$ decay and (electron) neutrinos are produced during $\beta^{+}$ decay](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/9-state-that-electron-antineutrinos-are-produced-during-beta-decay-and-electron/) (4 papers) — 4 · 8.9%
- [2 describe a simple model for the nuclear atom to include protons, neutrons and orbital electrons](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/2-describe-a-simple-model-for-the-nuclear-atom-to-include-protons-neutrons-and/) (3 papers) — 3 · 6.7%
- [5 understand and use the notation $^{A}_{Z}X$ for the representation of nuclides](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/5-understand-and-use-the-notation-a-z-x-for-the-representation-of-nuclides/) (3 papers) — 3 · 6.7%
- [7 describe the composition, mass and charge of $\alpha$-, $\beta$- and $\gamma$-radiations (both $\beta^{-}$ (electrons) and $\beta^{+}$ (positrons) are included)](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/7-describe-the-composition-mass-and-charge-of-alpha-beta-and-gamma-radiations-both/) (3 papers) — 3 · 6.7%
- [8 understand that an antiparticle has the same mass but opposite charge to the corresponding particle, and that a positron is the antiparticle of an electron](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/8-understand-that-an-antiparticle-has-the-same-mass-but-opposite-charge-to-the/) (3 papers) — 3 · 6.7%
- [1 infer from the results of the $\alpha$-particle scattering experiment the existence and small size of the nucleus](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/1-infer-from-the-results-of-the-alpha-particle-scattering-experiment-the-existence/) (1 papers) — 1 · 2.2%
- [10 understand that $\alpha$-particles have discrete energies but that $\beta$-particles have a continuous range of energies because (anti)neutrinos are emitted in $\beta$-decay](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/10-understand-that-alpha-particles-have-discrete-energies-but-that-beta-particles/) (1 papers) — 1 · 2.2%
- [12 use the unified atomic mass unit (u) as a unit of mass](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/12-use-the-unified-atomic-mass-unit-u-as-a-unit-of-mass/) (1 papers) — 1 · 2.2%

### Marks by subtopic

marks

- [11 represent $\alpha$- and $\beta$-decay by a radioactive decay equation of the form $^{238}_{92}U \rightarrow ^{234}_{90}Th + ^{4}_{2}\alpha$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/11-represent-alpha-and-beta-decay-by-a-radioactive-decay-equation-of-the-form-238-92/) (10 papers) — 10 · 22.2%
- [6 understand that nucleon number and charge are conserved in nuclear processes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/6-understand-that-nucleon-number-and-charge-are-conserved-in-nuclear-processes/) (8 papers) — 8 · 17.8%
- [3 distinguish between nucleon number and proton number](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/3-distinguish-between-nucleon-number-and-proton-number/) (4 papers) — 4 · 8.9%
- [4 understand that isotopes are forms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/4-understand-that-isotopes-are-forms-of-the-same-element-with-different-numbers-of/) (4 papers) — 4 · 8.9%
- [9 state that (electron) antineutrinos are produced during $\beta^{-}$ decay and (electron) neutrinos are produced during $\beta^{+}$ decay](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/9-state-that-electron-antineutrinos-are-produced-during-beta-decay-and-electron/) (4 papers) — 4 · 8.9%
- [2 describe a simple model for the nuclear atom to include protons, neutrons and orbital electrons](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/2-describe-a-simple-model-for-the-nuclear-atom-to-include-protons-neutrons-and/) (3 papers) — 3 · 6.7%
- [5 understand and use the notation $^{A}_{Z}X$ for the representation of nuclides](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/5-understand-and-use-the-notation-a-z-x-for-the-representation-of-nuclides/) (3 papers) — 3 · 6.7%
- [7 describe the composition, mass and charge of $\alpha$-, $\beta$- and $\gamma$-radiations (both $\beta^{-}$ (electrons) and $\beta^{+}$ (positrons) are included)](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/7-describe-the-composition-mass-and-charge-of-alpha-beta-and-gamma-radiations-both/) (3 papers) — 3 · 6.7%
- [8 understand that an antiparticle has the same mass but opposite charge to the corresponding particle, and that a positron is the antiparticle of an electron](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/8-understand-that-an-antiparticle-has-the-same-mass-but-opposite-charge-to-the/) (3 papers) — 3 · 6.7%
- [1 infer from the results of the $\alpha$-particle scattering experiment the existence and small size of the nucleus](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/1-infer-from-the-results-of-the-alpha-particle-scattering-experiment-the-existence/) (1 papers) — 1 · 2.2%
- [10 understand that $\alpha$-particles have discrete energies but that $\beta$-particles have a continuous range of energies because (anti)neutrinos are emitted in $\beta$-decay](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/10-understand-that-alpha-particles-have-discrete-energies-but-that-beta-particles/) (1 papers) — 1 · 2.2%
- [12 use the unified atomic mass unit (u) as a unit of mass](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/12-use-the-unified-atomic-mass-unit-u-as-a-unit-of-mass/) (1 papers) — 1 · 2.2%

## Subtopic comparison matrix

Curriculum order is by syllabus number, then alphabetically. Every row links to the matching past-paper question list.

| Subtopic | Topic questions | Papers | Marks | Years | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **[1 infer from the results of the $\alpha$-particle scattering experiment the existence and small size of the nucleus](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/1-infer-from-the-results-of-the-alpha-particle-scattering-experiment-the-existence/)** | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/1-infer-from-the-results-of-the-alpha-particle-scattering-experiment-the-existence/) |
| **[2 describe a simple model for the nuclear atom to include protons, neutrons and orbital electrons](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/2-describe-a-simple-model-for-the-nuclear-atom-to-include-protons-neutrons-and/)** | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2025–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/2-describe-a-simple-model-for-the-nuclear-atom-to-include-protons-neutrons-and/) |
| **[3 distinguish between nucleon number and proton number](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/3-distinguish-between-nucleon-number-and-proton-number/)** | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2025 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/3-distinguish-between-nucleon-number-and-proton-number/) |
| **[4 understand that isotopes are forms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/4-understand-that-isotopes-are-forms-of-the-same-element-with-different-numbers-of/)** | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2025–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/4-understand-that-isotopes-are-forms-of-the-same-element-with-different-numbers-of/) |
| **[5 understand and use the notation $^{A}_{Z}X$ for the representation of nuclides](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/5-understand-and-use-the-notation-a-z-x-for-the-representation-of-nuclides/)** | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2025 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/5-understand-and-use-the-notation-a-z-x-for-the-representation-of-nuclides/) |
| **[6 understand that nucleon number and charge are conserved in nuclear processes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/6-understand-that-nucleon-number-and-charge-are-conserved-in-nuclear-processes/)** | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2025–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/6-understand-that-nucleon-number-and-charge-are-conserved-in-nuclear-processes/) |
| **[7 describe the composition, mass and charge of $\alpha$-, $\beta$- and $\gamma$-radiations (both $\beta^{-}$ (electrons) and $\beta^{+}$ (positrons) are included)](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/7-describe-the-composition-mass-and-charge-of-alpha-beta-and-gamma-radiations-both/)** | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2025–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/7-describe-the-composition-mass-and-charge-of-alpha-beta-and-gamma-radiations-both/) |
| **[8 understand that an antiparticle has the same mass but opposite charge to the corresponding particle, and that a positron is the antiparticle of an electron](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/8-understand-that-an-antiparticle-has-the-same-mass-but-opposite-charge-to-the/)** | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2025–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/8-understand-that-an-antiparticle-has-the-same-mass-but-opposite-charge-to-the/) |
| **[9 state that (electron) antineutrinos are produced during $\beta^{-}$ decay and (electron) neutrinos are produced during $\beta^{+}$ decay](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/9-state-that-electron-antineutrinos-are-produced-during-beta-decay-and-electron/)** | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2025–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/9-state-that-electron-antineutrinos-are-produced-during-beta-decay-and-electron/) |
| **[10 understand that $\alpha$-particles have discrete energies but that $\beta$-particles have a continuous range of energies because (anti)neutrinos are emitted in $\beta$-decay](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/10-understand-that-alpha-particles-have-discrete-energies-but-that-beta-particles/)** | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2025 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/10-understand-that-alpha-particles-have-discrete-energies-but-that-beta-particles/) |
| **[11 represent $\alpha$- and $\beta$-decay by a radioactive decay equation of the form $^{238}_{92}U \rightarrow ^{234}_{90}Th + ^{4}_{2}\alpha$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/11-represent-alpha-and-beta-decay-by-a-radioactive-decay-equation-of-the-form-238-92/)** | 10 | 10 | 10 | 2025–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/11-represent-alpha-and-beta-decay-by-a-radioactive-decay-equation-of-the-form-238-92/) |
| **[12 use the unified atomic mass unit (u) as a unit of mass](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/12-use-the-unified-atomic-mass-unit-u-as-a-unit-of-mass/)** | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/12-use-the-unified-atomic-mass-unit-u-as-a-unit-of-mass/) |

## Browse every topic question

- [1 infer from the results of the $\alpha$-particle scattering experiment the existence and small size of the nucleus](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/1-infer-from-the-results-of-the-alpha-particle-scattering-experiment-the-existence/) — 1 question items · 1 papers — 1 marks · 2026
- [2 describe a simple model for the nuclear atom to include protons, neutrons and orbital electrons](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/2-describe-a-simple-model-for-the-nuclear-atom-to-include-protons-neutrons-and/) — 3 question items · 3 papers — 3 marks · 2025–2026
- [3 distinguish between nucleon number and proton number](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/3-distinguish-between-nucleon-number-and-proton-number/) — 4 question items · 4 papers — 4 marks · 2025
- [4 understand that isotopes are forms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/4-understand-that-isotopes-are-forms-of-the-same-element-with-different-numbers-of/) — 4 question items · 4 papers — 4 marks · 2025–2026
- [5 understand and use the notation $^{A}_{Z}X$ for the representation of nuclides](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/5-understand-and-use-the-notation-a-z-x-for-the-representation-of-nuclides/) — 3 question items · 3 papers — 3 marks · 2025
- [6 understand that nucleon number and charge are conserved in nuclear processes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/6-understand-that-nucleon-number-and-charge-are-conserved-in-nuclear-processes/) — 8 question items · 8 papers — 8 marks · 2025–2026
- [7 describe the composition, mass and charge of $\alpha$-, $\beta$- and $\gamma$-radiations (both $\beta^{-}$ (electrons) and $\beta^{+}$ (positrons) are included)](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/7-describe-the-composition-mass-and-charge-of-alpha-beta-and-gamma-radiations-both/) — 3 question items · 3 papers — 3 marks · 2025–2026
- [8 understand that an antiparticle has the same mass but opposite charge to the corresponding particle, and that a positron is the antiparticle of an electron](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/8-understand-that-an-antiparticle-has-the-same-mass-but-opposite-charge-to-the/) — 3 question items · 3 papers — 3 marks · 2025–2026
- [9 state that (electron) antineutrinos are produced during $\beta^{-}$ decay and (electron) neutrinos are produced during $\beta^{+}$ decay](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/9-state-that-electron-antineutrinos-are-produced-during-beta-decay-and-electron/) — 4 question items · 4 papers — 4 marks · 2025–2026
- [10 understand that $\alpha$-particles have discrete energies but that $\beta$-particles have a continuous range of energies because (anti)neutrinos are emitted in $\beta$-decay](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/10-understand-that-alpha-particles-have-discrete-energies-but-that-beta-particles/) — 1 question items · 1 papers — 1 marks · 2025
- [11 represent $\alpha$- and $\beta$-decay by a radioactive decay equation of the form $^{238}_{92}U \rightarrow ^{234}_{90}Th + ^{4}_{2}\alpha$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/11-represent-alpha-and-beta-decay-by-a-radioactive-decay-equation-of-the-form-238-92/) — 10 question items · 10 papers — 10 marks · 2025–2026
- [12 use the unified atomic mass unit (u) as a unit of mass](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/12-use-the-unified-atomic-mass-unit-u-as-a-unit-of-mass/) — 1 question items · 1 papers — 1 marks · 2026

## Other topics in 9702 P1

- [Density and pressure 26 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/density-and-pressure/)
- [Diffraction 9 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/diffraction/)
- [Doppler effect for sound waves 11 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/doppler-effect-for-sound-waves/)
- [Elastic and plastic behaviour 22 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/elastic-and-plastic-behaviour/)
- [Electric current 13 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/electric-current/)
- [Electromagnetic spectrum 9 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/electromagnetic-spectrum/)
- [Energy conservation 25 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/energy-conservation/)
- [Equations of motion 43 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equations-of-motion/)
- [Equilibrium of forces 17 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equilibrium-of-forces/)
- [Errors and uncertainties 16 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/errors-and-uncertainties/)

## Topic question rules and edge cases

**How many subtopics does Atoms, nuclei and radiation contain?**

This page lists 12 subtopics tagged to the current syllabus. They are ordered by syllabus number, then alphabetically, and each row opens a page of matching past-paper questions.

**How are the subtopic question and mark totals calculated?**

A multiple-choice question contributes one item and its marks to every subtopic it is tagged with. A structured question contributes one item per tagged part, and that part’s marks; untagged parts of the same question are not counted here. A part tagged to several subtopics therefore appears under each of them.

**Why do some subtopics have no numbered prefix?**

Practical-skills statements and some syllabus bullets are unnumbered. Numbered statements come first; unnumbered statements and ties are sorted alphabetically.

**Is the LaTeX rendered without JavaScript?**

Yes. Subtopics that contain formulas are converted to static KaTeX HTML during the build, and the KaTeX stylesheet is served from the same site.

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