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
The Nucleus and Radioactive Decay
Nuclear equations and changes in nucleon and proton number
- 3 things to know
- Unit A2 1
Overview
Recall questions on how the nucleon and proton numbers change in alpha, beta-minus, beta-plus and gamma emission, writing balanced nuclear equations for named decays, checking that both numbers balance on each side, identifying the daughter nuclide from a periodic table, and following a decay chain to a stable end.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Numbers
A nucleus of uranium-238 decays through a chain to a nucleus of lead-206. Calculate how many alpha particles are emitted in the chain.
Key term
What changes occur to the nucleon number and the proton number of a nucleus when it emits gamma radiation?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What changes occur to the nucleon number and the proton number of a nucleus when it emits an alpha particle?
Model answer
The nucleon number falls by 4 and the proton number falls by 2, because the alpha particle carries away two protons and two neutrons.
- 2
What changes occur to the nucleon number and the proton number of a nucleus when it emits a beta-minus particle?
Model answer
The nucleon number is unchanged and the proton number increases by 1, because a neutron in the nucleus changes into a proton and an electron is emitted.
- 3
What changes occur to the nucleon number and the proton number of a nucleus when it emits gamma radiation?
Model answer
Neither number changes, because gamma emission removes only energy from an excited nucleus and no nucleons are lost.
- 4
Write the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of uranium-238 to thorium-234.
Model answer
²³⁸₉₂U → ²³⁴₉₀Th + ⁴₂He, with the nucleon numbers balancing as 238 = 234 + 4 and the proton numbers as 92 = 90 + 2.
- 5
Write the nuclear equation for the beta-minus decay of carbon-14.
Model answer
¹⁴₆C → ¹⁴₇N + ⁰₋₁e, together with an antineutrino, with the nucleon numbers balancing as 14 = 14 + 0 and the proton numbers as 6 = 7 − 1.
- 6
What happens inside the nucleus during beta-minus decay?
Model answer
A neutron changes into a proton, and an electron together with an antineutrino is created and emitted from the nucleus.
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