Define Isotope
Nuclei that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons
Define Binding Energy
The energy required to break a nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons
Define Half-Life
The time taken for half the undecayed nuclei to decay or the activity of a source to decay by half
Thomson Model
Also known as the plum pudding model of the atom. Positive charge (dough) with negative electrons
Geiger-Marsden-Rutherford experiment
Alpha particles fired at a thin sheet of gold foil. Discovered the existence of the nucleus, small, dense, positive
eV to J
1eV to 1.6x10^-19 J
Change in energy in Atomic Transitions
ΔE = Ei - Ef
Define eV
The kinetic energy an electron gains when it accelerated across a potential difference of 1V
Discrete emission spectrum
Because energy levels are discrete, photons emitted by gases only have discrete energies equal to the differences between atomic energy levels. E=hc/λ
Define Photons
‘Packets’ of electromagnetic energy, discrete quantity
What does the frequency in E=hf show
The frequency of photons emitted when de-excitation occurs
Atomic Transitions in relation to the light spectrum
n=x -> n=1 is ultraviolet || n=x -> n=2 is visible light || n=x -> n=3 is infrared
The emission spectrum
Hydrogen gas is excited it will emit photons with specific energies/wavelengths. Consists of bright emission lines on dark backgrounds
The absorption spectrum
Shine a white light on hydrogen gas, absorbs the photons with energies that correspond to the possible atomic transitions. Consists of dark lines on a bright bg
What is Background Radiation
The ionising radiation present in the environemtn
Alpha Decay (4)
(4,2)α || High energy helium nucleus || emitted by Large unstable nucleus || Highly ionising, least penetrating
Beta-Minus Decay (4)
(0,-1) β || High energy electron || emitted by unstable nuclei with too many neutrons || Neutrons turn into a proton with an anti neutrino
Beta-Plus Decay (4)
(0,+1) β || High energy positron || emitted by unstable nuclei with too many protons || Proton turns into neutron with a positive neutrino
Gamma Radiation (4)
(0,0)γ || High energy electromagnetic radiation || Emitted by nuclei that need to lose energy || Weakly ionising and highest penetrating
Ionisation
Damages or Destroys Cells, increased exposure may cause illness or death
Mass-Energy equivalence
E = mc^2
m = mass defect (kg)
u –> kg
1u = 1.661x10^-27 kg
Define Mass Defect
m = Total mass of individual nucleons(u) - mass of nucleus
Strong force range
Strong Force < 0.5 fm ==> Repulsive
0.5 < Strong Force < 3 ==> Attractive
0.5 = Equilibrium