Atomic and nuclear physics. |
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The atom. |
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Atomic structure. |
7.1.1 |
Describe a model of the atom that features a small nucleus surrounded by
electrons. |
7.1.2 |
Outline the evidence that supports a nuclear model of the atom. |
7.1.3 |
Outline one limitation of the simple model of the nuclear atom. |
7.1.4 |
Outline evidence for the existence of atomic energy levels. |
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Nuclear structure. |
7.1.5 |
Explain the terms nuclide, isotope and nucleon. |
7.1.6 |
Define nucleon number A, proton number Z and neutron number N
- interactive |
7.1.7 |
Describe the interactions in a nucleus. |
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Radioactive decay. |
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Radioactivity. |
7.2.1 |
Describe the phenomenon of natural radioactive decay. |
7.2.2 |
Describe the properties of alpha (α) and beta (β) particles and gamma (γ)
radiation. |
7.2.3 |
Describe the ionizing properties of alpha (α) and beta (β) particles and
gamma (γ) radiation. |
7.2.4 |
Outline the biological effects of ionizing radiation. |
7.2.5 |
Explain why some nuclei are stable while others are unstable. |
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Half-life. |
7.2.6 |
State that radioactive decay is a random and spontaneous process and that
the rate of decay decreases exponentially with time. |
7.2.7 |
Define the term radioactive half-life. |
7.2.8 |
Determine the half-life of a nuclide from a decay curve. |
7.2.9 |
Solve radioactive decay problems involving integral numbers of half-lives. |
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Nuclear reactions, fission[] and fusion. |
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Nuclear reactions. |
7.3.1 |
Describe and give an example of an artificial (induced) transmutation. |
7.3.2 |
Construct and complete nuclear equations. |
7.3.3 |
Define the term unified atomic mass unit. |
7.3.4 |
Apply the Einstein mass-energy equivalence relationship. |
7.3.5 |
Define the concepts of mass defect, binding energy[] and binding energy[] per
nucleon. |
7.3.6 |
Draw and annotate a graph showing the variation with nucleon number of the
binding energy[] per nucleon. |
7.3.7 |
Solve problems involving mass defect and binding energy. |
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Fission[] and fusion. |
7.3.8 |
Describe the processes of nuclear fission[] and nuclear fusion. |
7.3.9 |
Apply the graph in 7.3.6 to account for the energy release in the
processes of fission[] and fusion. |
7.3.10 |
State that nuclear fusion is the main source of the Suns energy. |
7.3.11 |
Solve problems involving fission[] and fusion reactions. |