PAL (IGCSE) PHYSICS

Section 5 Atomic Physics

Atomic Physics
PAL (IGCSE) Single Science
Revision Book - Section 5

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Syllabus Content_______________________________

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Syllabus Details________________________________
5.1 Radioactivity
5.1 (a) Detection of radioactivity
Core
Show awareness of the existence of background radiation

Background radiation

Radiation is all around us

Some of the main sources of background radiation are
o Rocks e.g. granite
o Outer space
o Building materials
o Radon gas in the air
Radon gas is a problem when it collects in houses

Describe the detection of -particles, particles and -rays ( + are not

included: particles will be taken to refer to )

Geiger Muller Tube

Geiger-Muller Tube

Thin mica Ionization

window

To counter

Metal cathode surround

Argon gas
Central anode

Radiation enters the tube

The radiation ionises the argon gas
The positive ions go to the cathode and the electrons go to the anode
This causes a tiny current to flow

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The current is amplified and detected on a counter

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Photographic Film

Photographic film can be used to detect radiation

Radiation makes photographic film turn black
This only lets you know if there was radiation after you develop the film

5.1 (b) Characteristics of the three kinds of

emission
Core
State that radioactive emissions occur randomly over space and time

Radioactive emission:

This occurs randomly over space and time

You can not predict which nucleus will decay and when

State, for radioactive emissions:

their nature
their relative ionising effects
their relative penetrating abilities

Property Alpha Beta Gamma

Nature Helium nuclei High energy Electromagnetic

(2 protons and 2 electron from the radiation
neutrons) nucleus
~Ionising power High Medium Low
Penetration Low (paper) Medium (5mm High (Thick lead)
(absorbed by) Al)
Charge +2ve -ve None

Describe their deflection in electric fields and magnetic fields

Emission Effect of electric Effect of magnetic

field
Alpha particle Deflected towards
negative parallel to field
Beta particle Deflected towards
positive parallel to field
Gamma radiation No effect
field
Deflected perpendicular
to the magnetic field
Deflected perpendicular
to the magnetic field
No effect

Interpret their relative ionizing effects

Alpha particles have a strong ionizing effect as they have 2 positive

charges per particle
Beta particle have a medium ionizing effect as they have 1 negative
charge per particle
Gamma rays are weakly ionizing as they have no charge

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5.1 (c) Radioactive decay

Core
State the meaning of radioactive decay, using equations (involving words or
symbols) to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when particles
are emitted

Alpha decay. Example.

A
Z X AZ42Y 24He 238
92 U 234
90Th 2 He
4

In alpha decay

An alpha particle is lost from the nucleus of an atom

The number of protons reduces by 2
The number of neutrons reduces by 2
o The nucleon number reduces by 4
o The proton number reduces by 2

Beta decay Example.

A
Z X Z A1Y 10 14
6 C 147 N 10

In Beta decay

A high energy electron is lost from the nucleus

One Neutron changes into a proton
o The proton number increases by 1
o The nucleon number does not change

Gamma decay Example.

A
Z X * ZA X 00 60
28 Ni * 28
60
Ni 00

In Gamma decay
The atom goes from a high energy state to a low energy state
There is no change to the proton number or the nucleon number

5.1 (d) Half-life

Core
Use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in
tables or decay curves

Half life

The time taken for half of a particular radioactive isotope to decay

Example
o If the half time of Carbon 14 is 5600 years
o After 5600 years 1/2 the atoms have not decayed

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o After 11200 (2 x 5600) of the atoms have not decayed

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The activity of a radioactive isotope decreases with time

This type of curve is called an exponential curve

5.1 (e) Safety precautions

Core
Describe how radioactive materials are handled, used and stored in a safe way

SAFE USAGE AND STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS.

Radioactive materials produce emissions that are highly ionizing

These emissions can ionize the skin and organs of humans, so causing
birth defects, cancer and burns
These materials must be handled so that these emission do are not
incident on the people working with them
o Storage Often under water as the water absorbs the emissions
well
o Handling Within fume cupboards and often using robots
o Usage Within closed environments (with thick highly absorbing
walls)
o Waste disposal Still a big issue but increasingly stored deep
underground

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5.2 The nuclear atom

5.2 (a) Atomic model
Core
Describe the structure of an atom in terms of a nucleus and electrons

Supplement
Describe how the scattering of -particles by thin metal foils provides evidence
for the nuclear atom

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Observation
Most particles pass straight through the
gold leaf
~1:8000 are repelled back
Some are repelled through large angles
Conclusion
Gold is predominantly empty space
Gold has small positively charged nuclei
The nucleus has a large positive charge

5.2 (b) Nucleus

Core
Describe the composition of the nucleus in terms of protons and neutrons
Use the term proton number Z
Use the term nucleon number A
Use the term nuclide and use the nuclide notation X

5.2 (c) Isotopes

Supplement
Use the term isotope

ISOTOPE: Nuclides with the same number of protons but different number of
neutrons

Give and explain examples of practical applications of isotopes

Carbon dating Using the decay of carbon 14 the age of old organic
materials can be calculated
o The percentage of carbon 14 in the air is stable and known
o The percentage of carbon 14 in trees is kept constant by
photosynthesis
o When trees or plants are cut down and stop photosynthesising
the carbon 14 in them decays
o By calculating the percentage of carbon 14 present in old
organic artefacts (wooden tools, etc), and knowing the half life
of carbon 14, the age of the artefacts can be calculated

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