EDEXCEL IGCSE / CERTIFICATE IN PHYSICS 7-1Atoms and RadioactivityEdexcel IGCSE Physics pages 199 to 208January 24th 2013All content applies for Triple & Double Science

Edexcel SpecificationSection 7: Radioactivity and particlesb) Radioactivitydescribe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons and use symbols such as 146C to describe particular nucleiunderstand the terms atomic (proton) number, mass (nucleon) number and isotopeunderstand that alpha and beta particles and gamma rays are ionising radiations emitted from unstable nuclei in a random processdescribe the nature of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays and recall that they may be distinguished in terms of penetrating powerdescribe the effects on the atomic and mass numbers of a nucleus of the emission of each of the three main types of radiationunderstand how to complete balanced nuclear equations

Atomic structureAn atom consists of a small central nucleus composed of protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons.

An atom will always have the same number of electrons as protons.

Atomic and mass numberThe atomic number (or proton number) of an atom is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.

The mass number (or nucleon number) of an atom is equal to the number of protons plus neutrons in its nucleus.This Lithium atom has:atomic number = 3mass number = 7

Properties of protons, neutrons and electronsnucleusnucleusoutside nucleus110.0005+ 1- 10

Position in the atomRelative massRelative electric chargePROTONNEUTRONELECTRON

Nuclear notationAn isotope of carbon consists of 6 protons and 8 neutrons. This can be written as:OR: carbon 14

IsotopesThe atoms of an element always have the same number of protons.

Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.Note: The number after hydrogen is the mass number of the isotope.

Question 1U23592An isotope of uranium (chemical symbol U) consists of 92 protons and 143 neutrons. Give the two different ways of notating this isotope.uranium 235The mass number of the Uranium isotope: = 92 + 143 = 235AND

Question 2Determine the number of protons and neutrons in the isotopes notated below:protons = 7neutrons = 6p = 27n = 33p = 79n = 118p = 94n = 145Note: Apart from the smallest atoms, most nuclei have more neutrons than protons.

IonisationIonisation occurs when an atom loses or gains one or more electrons.

When an atom loses electrons it becomes a positive ion.

When an atom gains electrons it becomes a negative ion.

Radioactivity and Ionising RadiationThe nuclei of some isotopes are unstable and when they decay they give of radiation that causes ionisation.

This phenomena is called radioactivity and the radiation produced is called ionising radiation

Radioactivity is a random process. When a particular nucleus decays cannot be predicted.

Alpha, beta and gamma radiationAn alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons.It is strongly ionising.

A beta particle is a high speed electron.It is produced when a neutron has decays into an electron and proton.It is moderately ionising.

Gamma rays are very high frequency electromagnetic waves.They are produced when an unstable nucleus loses energy..They are weakly ionising.

The penetrating power of alpha, beta and gamma radiation

Deflection by magnetic fieldsAlpha and beta particles are deflected in opposite directions due to their opposite charges.Due to their much larger mass alpha particles are deflected far less than beta.Gamma rays are not deflected because they are not charged.Magnetic south pole placed behind the rays

Deflection by electric fieldsAlpha and beta particles are deflected in opposite directions due to their opposite charges.Due to their much larger mass alpha particles are deflected far less than beta.Gamma rays are not deflected because they are not charged.Electric field produced by positively and negatively charged plates

Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:Atoms consist of a very small _______, containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by _______. Atoms of the same element will always have the same number of _______ but different ________ of the same element will have different numbers of _________.The atoms of some substances are unstable and _________. They may give off alpha or ______ particles or gamma rays.Gamma rays are the most penetrating type of radiation, _____ is the least. isotopesradioactivenucleusprotonselectronsalphaneutronsWORD SELECTION:betaisotopesradioactivenucleusprotonselectronsalphaneutronsbeta

Alpha decayAlpha particles consist of two protons plus two neutrons. They are emitted by some of the isotopes of the heaviest elements.

Example: The decay of Uranium 238+Uranium 238 decays to Thorium 234 plus an alpha particle.Notes:1. The mass and atomic numbers must balance on each side of the equation: (238 = 234 + 4 AND 92 = 90 +2)2. The alpha particle can also be notated as:

QuestionShow the equation for Plutonium 239 (Pu) decaying by alpha emission to Uranium (atomic number 92).

Beta decayBeta particles consist of high speed electrons. They are emitted by isotopes that have too many neutrons. One of these neutrons decays into a proton and an electron. The proton remains in the nucleus but the electron is emitted as the beta particle.

Example: The decay of Carbon 14+Carbon 14 decays to Nitrogen 14 plus a beta particle.Notes:1. The beta particle, being negatively charged, has an effective atomic number of minus one.2. The beta particle can also be notated as:

QuestionShow the equation for Sodium 25 (Na), atomic number 11, decaying by beta emission to Magnesium (Mg).

Gamma decayGamma decay is the emission of electromagnetic radiation from an unstable nucleusGamma radiation often occurs after a nucleus has emitted an alpha or beta particle.

Example: Cobalt 60+Cobalt 60 with excess ENERGY decays to Cobalt 60 with less ENERGY plus gamma radiation.

Changing elementsBoth alpha and beta decay cause the an isotope to change atomic number and therefore element. Alpha decay also causes a change in mass number.

Decay typeAtomic numberMass numberalphaDOWN by 2DOWN by 4betaUP by 1NO CHANGEgammaNO CHANGENO CHANGE

Complete the decay equations below:

Write equations showing how Lead 202 could decay into Gold. (This cannot happen in reality!)There are other correct solutions

ElementSymZPlatinumPt78GoldAu79MercuryHg80ThalliumTl81LeadPb82BismuthBi83

Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:When an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle its atomic number falls by _______ and its mass number by ______.Beta particles are emitted by nuclei with too many ________. In this case the atomic number increases by ______ while the ________ number remains unchanged.Gamma rays consist of ______________ radiation that is emitted from a nucleus when it loses ________, often after undergoing alpha or beta decay.electromagneticenergymasstwofouroneWORD SELECTION:neutronselectromagneticenergymasstwofouroneneutrons

Online SimulationsBuild an atom - PhET - Build an atom out of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and see how the element, charge, and mass change. Then play a game to test your ideas! Atom builder - Freezeway.com Build an atom - eChalk Types of Radiation - S-Cool section on types of radiations including an animation of absorption and a couple of decay equations to fill in on screen. Decay series - Fendt BBC AQA GCSE Bitesize Revision: Atoms, isotopes & radioactivity - Core Science Structure of an atom Isotopes Alpha, beta & gamma radiation Penetration properties Deflection radiation Radioactive decay equations

Atoms and RadioactivityNotes questions from pages 199 to 208Describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons and explain the meaning of symbols such as 146C.Explain the meaning of (a) atomic number, (b) mass number and (c) isotope.What is alpha, beta and gamma radiation? Distinguish between them in terms of their ionisation and penetration powers.Describe the changes that occur to a nucleus when it undergoes alpha and beta decay. In each case give and example of a decay equation.

Answer the questions on pages 207 and 208.Verify that you can do all of the items listed in the end of chapter checklist on page 207.

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