the radiation in the surroundings of a particular place

a small, positively charged particle which was used to discover the nucleus

the experiment used to discover the atomic nucleus from the deflection of alpha particles fired at it

the central part of an atom which contains most of the mass and all of the positive charge

Evidence of atomic structure

Physics

Unstable nuclei

Nuclear decay

Ionising radiation

Radioactive half-life

Activity and half-life calculations

Uses of radiation

Nuclear fission and fusion

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

the radiation in the surroundings at a particular place

a positively charged particle that is a type of radiation

an investigation to explore the structure of atoms

the part in the middle of an atom which contains most of its mass

Match each of the following terms used in nuclear physics to the correct definitions.

It is a particle with a mass similar to a helium atom.

It is high frequency electromagnetic radiation.

Which of the following are properties of an alpha particle?

Which of the following are classified as artificial sources of background radiation?

there is a nucleus with a positive charge

the nucleus contains most of the mass of the atom

Match the results of the alpha particle scattering experiment (where a beam of alpha particles is fired at gold foil) to the corresponding conclusions made.

discovery of the electron and use of ‘plum pudding’ atomic model (Thomson)

discovery of the nucleus using alpha particle scattering experiment (Rutherford)

discovery of neutrons in nucleus (Chadwick)

Starting with the earliest, sort the following into date order.

Exposed photographic film was made darker.

Henri Becquerel discovered radiation in 1896 when investigating uranium salts. What properties did the radiation have that lead to the discovery?

What happens to the particles in a liquid when its temperature increases?

What is the smallest component of an element?

In which state are the particles in a substance most free to move around?

negatively charged particle found outside a nucleus

positively charges particle found in a nucleus

particle with no charge found in a nucleus

Match the particles to their descriptions.

Starting with the largest, put these objects in order of mass.

Evidence of atomic structure

Lesson outcome