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5. Atomic Physics ⬇
CONTENTS
5.1 The Nuclear Atom
5.1.1 Atomic Model
5.1.2 Nucleus
5.1.3 Nuclear Reactions
5.2 Radioactivity
5.2.1 Detection of Radioactivity
5.2.2 Characteristics of Radiation
5.2.3 Radioactive Decay
5.2.4 Half-Life
5.2.5 Safety Precautions
5.1 THE NUCLEAR ATOM
5.1.1 ATOMIC MODEL
The Structure of the Atom
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5. Atomic Physics ⬇
Atoms consist of small dense positively charged nuclei, surrounded by negatively charged
electrons
An atom: a small positive nucleus, surrounded by negative electrons
(Note: the atom is around 100,000 times larger than the nucleus!)
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5. Atomic Physics ⬇
Extended Only
Alpha Particle Scattering
Evidence for the structure of the atom comes from the study of α-particle scattering
When α-particles are fired at thin gold foil, most of them go straight through but a
very small number bounce straight back
When α-particles are fired at thin pieces of gold foil:
The majority of them go straight through (A)
This happens because the atom is mainly empty space
Some are deflected through small angles (B)
This happens because the positive α-particles are repelled by the positive
nucleus
A very small number are deflected straight back (C)
This is because the nucleus is extremely small
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5. Atomic Physics ⬇
5.1.2 NUCLEUS
Protons & Neutrons
Atoms are made up of three different particles:
Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus of an atom
The properties of each of these particles is shown in the table below:
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YOUR NOTES
5. Atomic Physics ⬇
CONTENTS
5.1 The Nuclear Atom
5.1.1 Atomic Model
5.1.2 Nucleus
5.1.3 Nuclear Reactions
5.2 Radioactivity
5.2.1 Detection of Radioactivity
5.2.2 Characteristics of Radiation
5.2.3 Radioactive Decay
5.2.4 Half-Life
5.2.5 Safety Precautions
5.1 THE NUCLEAR ATOM
5.1.1 ATOMIC MODEL
The Structure of the Atom
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CIE IGCSE Physics Resources Page 1
REVISION NOTES TOPIC QUESTIONS PAST PAPERS
, CIE IGCSE Physics Revision Notes savemyexams.co.uk
YOUR NOTES
5. Atomic Physics ⬇
Atoms consist of small dense positively charged nuclei, surrounded by negatively charged
electrons
An atom: a small positive nucleus, surrounded by negative electrons
(Note: the atom is around 100,000 times larger than the nucleus!)
© copyright Save My Exams
CIE IGCSE Physics Resources Page 2
REVISION NOTES TOPIC QUESTIONS PAST PAPERS
, CIE IGCSE Physics Revision Notes savemyexams.co.uk
YOUR NOTES
5. Atomic Physics ⬇
Extended Only
Alpha Particle Scattering
Evidence for the structure of the atom comes from the study of α-particle scattering
When α-particles are fired at thin gold foil, most of them go straight through but a
very small number bounce straight back
When α-particles are fired at thin pieces of gold foil:
The majority of them go straight through (A)
This happens because the atom is mainly empty space
Some are deflected through small angles (B)
This happens because the positive α-particles are repelled by the positive
nucleus
A very small number are deflected straight back (C)
This is because the nucleus is extremely small
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REVISION NOTES TOPIC QUESTIONS PAST PAPERS
, CIE IGCSE Physics Revision Notes savemyexams.co.uk
YOUR NOTES
5. Atomic Physics ⬇
5.1.2 NUCLEUS
Protons & Neutrons
Atoms are made up of three different particles:
Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus of an atom
The properties of each of these particles is shown in the table below:
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