a particle that can decay and emit nuclear radiation

emitted by a radioactive nucleus when it decays

the removal of one or more outer electrons from an atom

a particle of radiation made from two protons and two neutrons, with a relative charge of +2

a particle of radiation made of an electron emitted at high speed from an unstable nucleus

Ionising radiation

Combined science

Evidence of atomic structure

Unstable nuclei

Nuclear decay (including beta–plus)

Radioactive half-life

Activity and half-life calculations (including complex ones)

Uses of radiation

In A-level physics, some pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about probability and half-life equations, nuclear instability, Einstein’s equation E = mc2 that links mass and energy, and controlled nuclear fission.

In the Periodic table unit, in chemistry, pupils learnt about the nuclear model of the atom, the atomic number and mass number, and about isotopes of elements.

This unit covers atomic structure, isotopes, radioactive decay, and half-life. It explores alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, nuclear fission and fusion, and the uses of radiation in medicine, highlighting differences between contamination and irradiation.

Nuclear physics

neither alpha particles nor beta particles

They collide with and break up the atom's nucleus.

They knock the atom's nucleus out of the atom.

They pull electrons off atoms they pass close to.

They destroy the electrons of atoms that they collide with.

How can alpha particles damage atoms they pass sufficiently close to?

Which of these is the thinnest barrier that can stop most beta particles?

Put these types of radiation in order of how ionising they are, starting with the most ionising.

Put these types of radiation in order of how penetrating they are, starting with the most penetrating.

What part of an atom is identical to a beta-minus particle?

The nucleus of which atom is identical to an alpha particle?

at very high speed from an inner electron shell

How is a beta particle emitted from a radioactive atom?

What is the mass (nucleon) number of $$^{240}_{94}$$Pu?

How many electons are in an atom of $$^{231}_{90}$$Th?

How many neutrons are in the nucleus of an atom of $$^{235}_{92}$$U?

Ionising radiation

Lesson outcome