Key term
CCEA A-Level Physics 1210
Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors
Moments and Equilibrium
Linear Motion and Dynamics
Newton's Laws of Motion
Linear Momentum and Impulse
Work, Energy and Power
Current, Charge and Potential Difference
Resistance and Resistivity
Topic overviewResistance and Ohm's lawOhmic and non-ohmic behaviourResistors in series and in parallelInvestigating current, voltage and resistance in series and parallel circuitsElectrical power and energy in resistive circuitsResistivity and the equation R = ρl/AMeasuring the resistivity of a metalCurrent–voltage characteristics of a conductor, a lamp and a diodeResistance, temperature and superconductivity
Internal Resistance and Potential Dividers
Topic overviewInternal resistance and terminal potential differenceConsequences of internal resistance for external circuitsMeasuring electromotive force and internal resistanceThe potential divider and variable outputPotential dividers in lighting and heating control circuitsLoaded potential dividers and output voltage calculations
Waves
Refraction
Lenses
Superposition, Interference and Diffraction
Topic overviewSuperposition of wavesStanding waves, nodes and antinodesStanding waves on stretched stringsStanding waves in a pipe closed at one endMeasuring the speed of sound with a resonance tubeConditions for observable interferencePath difference and phase differenceYoung's double slitDiffraction at a single slitThe diffraction grating
Quantum Physics
Wave-Particle Duality
Astronomy
Practical Skills and Data Analysis
Topic overviewChoosing and using measuring instrumentsPrecision, accuracy and recording measurementsUsing the cathode ray oscilloscope to measure voltage and frequencyTables, graphs and presenting resultsLinearising a relationship and using the gradientAbsolute and percentage uncertaintyCombining uncertainties and uncertainty on a graphRandom and systematic error, reliability and refining an experiment
Deformation of Solids
Thermal Physics
Topic overviewBoyle's law, Charles's law and the pressure lawThe ideal gas equation pV = nRTThe Avogadro constant, the mole and pV = NkTInternal energy and the distribution of molecular energyThe kinetic theory equation pV = ⅓Nm⟨c²⟩Average molecular kinetic energy and temperatureAbsolute zero and the kelvin scaleSpecific heat capacity and the electrical method
Uniform Circular Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
Topic overviewDefining simple harmonic motion and a = −ω²xDisplacement, velocity and acceleration: x = A cos ωtThe simple pendulum and T = 2π√(l/g)The loaded spiral spring and T = 2π√(m/k)SHM graphs and finding velocity from a gradientFree vibrations, forced vibrations and resonanceDamping: light, critical and over-damping
The Nucleus and Radioactive Decay
Topic overviewAlpha-particle scattering and the nuclear atomNuclear radius and nucleon numberThe density of nuclear matterAlpha, beta and gamma radiation: nature, penetration and rangeNuclear equations and changes in nucleon and proton numberThe random and exponential nature of radioactive decayActivity, the decay constant and A = −λNExponential decay calculations with A = A₀e^(−λt)Half-life and measuring it
Nuclear Energy, Fission and Fusion
Gravitational Fields
Electric Fields
Capacitors
Magnetic Fields
Charged Particles and Accelerators
Nuclear Energy, Fission and Fusion
Mass defect and binding energy
- 3 things to know
- Unit A2 1
Overview
Mass defect of a nucleus, binding energy of a nucleus and binding energy per nucleon.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Define binding energy per nucleon.
Key term
Why is binding energy per nucleon a better measure of nuclear stability than total binding energy?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define the mass defect of a nucleus.
Model answer
The mass defect is the difference between the total mass of the separate protons and neutrons that make up a nucleus and the actual mass of the assembled nucleus, in kilograms or in u.
- 2
Define the binding energy of a nucleus.
Model answer
The binding energy is the energy that must be supplied to separate a nucleus completely into its individual protons and neutrons, and is equal to the energy released when those nucleons come together to form the nucleus.
- 3
How are mass defect and binding energy related?
Model answer
The binding energy is the energy equivalent of the mass defect, E = Δmc², where Δm is the mass defect in kilograms and E the binding energy in joules.
- 4
Why is the mass of a nucleus always less than the sum of the masses of its separate nucleons?
Model answer
Energy is released when the nucleons come together and become bound, and because energy and mass are equivalent that released energy corresponds to a loss of mass from the system.
- 5
Define binding energy per nucleon.
Model answer
The binding energy per nucleon is the total binding energy of a nucleus divided by its nucleon number, usually quoted in MeV per nucleon.
- 6
Why is binding energy per nucleon a better measure of nuclear stability than total binding energy?
Model answer
Total binding energy simply increases with the number of nucleons, so it says nothing about how tightly each one is held. Binding energy per nucleon compares nuclei of different sizes on the same footing, and the higher it is the more stable the nucleus.
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