Physik Lernzettel (english) / Physics exam preparation -
Atoms, Radiation and Nuclear Energy - School Physics
Course
Table of Contents
Atomic Structure
• Structure of atoms (protons, neutrons, electrons)
• Atomic number and mass number
• Relative atomic mass calculations
Radiation
• Definition of radiation
• Ionizing vs non-ionizing radiation
• Irradiation vs contamination
• Sources of radiation
Types of Ionizing Radiation
• Alpha particles and properties
• Beta particles and decay processes
• Gamma radiation and characteristics
Background Radiation
• Natural sources (cosmic rays, radon, rocks)
• Artificial sources (medical, nuclear)
• Health effects of radiation
Radioisotopes and Half-life
• Definition of radioisotopes
• Applications in medicine and industry
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Half-life and decay calculations
1
,Energy Concepts
• Law of conservation of energy
• Kinetic and potential energy
• Electrical and nuclear energy
• Heat, light and sound energy
Waves
• Definition and properties of waves
• Wavelength, amplitude and frequency
• Transverse waves
• Longitudinal waves
2
,1. The properties of atoms
1. The structure of atoms:
Definition:
An atom is a complex arrangement of negatively charged electrons arranged in defined shells about
a positively charged nucleus. This nucleus contains most of the atom's mass and is composed of
protons and neutrons.
Describing atoms:
1. Atomic charge= An atom will always be charged neutral as it is made up of equal numbers of
protons and electrons.
2. Atomic number= Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom.
3. Mass number= The sum of the number of protons and neutron in an atom is the mass number.
-The structure of atoms:
1. Protons (center) = Has a mass of 1 and is charged +1
2. Neutrons (center) = Has a mass of 1 and is charged 0
3. Electrons (outer shell) = Has a mass of 1/1864 and is charged -1
2. Equations for atoms (calculating the relative atomic mass of an atom):
1. Example:
Find RAM if 20% 10B and 80 % 11B
RAM = (% 1 x Mass 1) + (% 2 x Mass 2)
Ram = 10, 8
2. Example:
Find RAM if 95% 12C, 4 % 13B, 1 % 14C
RAM = (% 1 x Mass 1) + (% 2 x Mass 2) + (% 3 x Mass 3)
Ram = 12, 06
3
, 2. Radiation
1. The structure of radiation:
Definition:
Radiation defines any form of energy that is emitted from a particular source and travels through
space at the speed of light. This energy has both an electric and a magnetic field associated with it,
giving it wave-like properties.
Features of radiation:
-Radiation is energy that moves from one place to another form of waves or particles
-Can travel through space at the speed of light
-There are two kinds of radiation: non-ionizing radiation and ionizing radiation:
1. Non - ionizing radiation:
Non-ionizing radiation is a form of radiation that has enough energy to move atoms in a molecule
around or cause them to vibrate, but not enough to remove electrons from atoms. Examples of this
kind of radiation are radio waves, visible light and microwaves.
2. Ionizing radiation:
Ionizing radiation is a form of radiation that has much more energy allowing it to detach electrons
from atoms. This process is called ionization, where the gain or loss of electrons when interacting
with matter causes changes at the atomic level. Ionizing radiation comes from X-ray machines,
cosmic particles from space and radioactive elements. Energy emitting ionizing radiation can include
alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.
-Irradiation versus contamination:
Irradiation Contamination
Occurs when an object is exposed to a source Occurs if the radioactive source is on or in the
of radiation outside the object. object.
Doesn't cause the object to become A contaminated object will be radioactive for
radioactive. as long as the source is on or in it.
Can be blocked with suitable shielding or Once an object is contaminated, the radiation
moving away. cannot be blocked from it.
Stops as soon as the source is removed. It can be very difficult to remove all of the
contamination.
4
Atoms, Radiation and Nuclear Energy - School Physics
Course
Table of Contents
Atomic Structure
• Structure of atoms (protons, neutrons, electrons)
• Atomic number and mass number
• Relative atomic mass calculations
Radiation
• Definition of radiation
• Ionizing vs non-ionizing radiation
• Irradiation vs contamination
• Sources of radiation
Types of Ionizing Radiation
• Alpha particles and properties
• Beta particles and decay processes
• Gamma radiation and characteristics
Background Radiation
• Natural sources (cosmic rays, radon, rocks)
• Artificial sources (medical, nuclear)
• Health effects of radiation
Radioisotopes and Half-life
• Definition of radioisotopes
• Applications in medicine and industry
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Half-life and decay calculations
1
,Energy Concepts
• Law of conservation of energy
• Kinetic and potential energy
• Electrical and nuclear energy
• Heat, light and sound energy
Waves
• Definition and properties of waves
• Wavelength, amplitude and frequency
• Transverse waves
• Longitudinal waves
2
,1. The properties of atoms
1. The structure of atoms:
Definition:
An atom is a complex arrangement of negatively charged electrons arranged in defined shells about
a positively charged nucleus. This nucleus contains most of the atom's mass and is composed of
protons and neutrons.
Describing atoms:
1. Atomic charge= An atom will always be charged neutral as it is made up of equal numbers of
protons and electrons.
2. Atomic number= Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom.
3. Mass number= The sum of the number of protons and neutron in an atom is the mass number.
-The structure of atoms:
1. Protons (center) = Has a mass of 1 and is charged +1
2. Neutrons (center) = Has a mass of 1 and is charged 0
3. Electrons (outer shell) = Has a mass of 1/1864 and is charged -1
2. Equations for atoms (calculating the relative atomic mass of an atom):
1. Example:
Find RAM if 20% 10B and 80 % 11B
RAM = (% 1 x Mass 1) + (% 2 x Mass 2)
Ram = 10, 8
2. Example:
Find RAM if 95% 12C, 4 % 13B, 1 % 14C
RAM = (% 1 x Mass 1) + (% 2 x Mass 2) + (% 3 x Mass 3)
Ram = 12, 06
3
, 2. Radiation
1. The structure of radiation:
Definition:
Radiation defines any form of energy that is emitted from a particular source and travels through
space at the speed of light. This energy has both an electric and a magnetic field associated with it,
giving it wave-like properties.
Features of radiation:
-Radiation is energy that moves from one place to another form of waves or particles
-Can travel through space at the speed of light
-There are two kinds of radiation: non-ionizing radiation and ionizing radiation:
1. Non - ionizing radiation:
Non-ionizing radiation is a form of radiation that has enough energy to move atoms in a molecule
around or cause them to vibrate, but not enough to remove electrons from atoms. Examples of this
kind of radiation are radio waves, visible light and microwaves.
2. Ionizing radiation:
Ionizing radiation is a form of radiation that has much more energy allowing it to detach electrons
from atoms. This process is called ionization, where the gain or loss of electrons when interacting
with matter causes changes at the atomic level. Ionizing radiation comes from X-ray machines,
cosmic particles from space and radioactive elements. Energy emitting ionizing radiation can include
alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.
-Irradiation versus contamination:
Irradiation Contamination
Occurs when an object is exposed to a source Occurs if the radioactive source is on or in the
of radiation outside the object. object.
Doesn't cause the object to become A contaminated object will be radioactive for
radioactive. as long as the source is on or in it.
Can be blocked with suitable shielding or Once an object is contaminated, the radiation
moving away. cannot be blocked from it.
Stops as soon as the source is removed. It can be very difficult to remove all of the
contamination.
4
