Nuclear physics
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Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Patterns in the periodic table, where they explored how atomic structure influences the properties and reactivity of elements. It deepens their understanding by examining nuclear physics, including radioactive decay and nuclear processes, and how these impact material properties. As the final unit in the big question, Why do materials have different properties?, it reinforces how atomic and nuclear structures shape the behaviour and characteristics of materials.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Atoms are the smallest parts that each element can be broken up into.
- Atoms used to be thought of as tiny spheres that could not be divided.
- The discovery of the electron (in 1897) led to the plum pudding model of the atom, for just a few years before new evidence led to a nuclear model of atoms.
- The atoms of each element are different.
- An atom has a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons.
- The radius of an atomic nucleus is much smaller than the radius of an atom.
- An atomic nucleus consists of protons and neutrons.
- The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in the nuclei of its atoms and the number of electrons in each atom.
- The mass number of an atom is approximately equal to the number of protons added to the number of neutrons in its nucleus.
- Isotopes of an element all have the same number of protons and electrons, but different numbers of neutrons.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Patterns in the periodic table, where they explored how atomic structure influences the properties and reactivity of elements. It deepens their understanding by examining nuclear physics, including radioactive decay and nuclear processes, and how these impact material properties. As the final unit in the big question, Why do materials have different properties?, it reinforces how atomic and nuclear structures shape the behaviour and characteristics of materials.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Atoms are the smallest parts that each element can be broken up into.
- Atoms used to be thought of as tiny spheres that could not be divided.
- The discovery of the electron (in 1897) led to the plum pudding model of the atom, for just a few years before new evidence led to a nuclear model of atoms.
- The atoms of each element are different.
- An atom has a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons.
- The radius of an atomic nucleus is much smaller than the radius of an atom.
- An atomic nucleus consists of protons and neutrons.
- The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in the nuclei of its atoms and the number of electrons in each atom.
- The mass number of an atom is approximately equal to the number of protons added to the number of neutrons in its nucleus.
- Isotopes of an element all have the same number of protons and electrons, but different numbers of neutrons.
Physics
Nuclear physics
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.
10 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Nuclear physics unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our Edexcel secondary physics curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for Edexcel secondary physics programmes.