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Physics Dept Topic Checklist Radioactivity and Particles (A) Units Students Should

This document provides a checklist of learning objectives related to radioactivity and particles, fission, and fusion for a physics department. It includes units of measurement for radioactivity, descriptions of the structure of atoms and different types of radiation, how radiation can be detected, concepts of half-life and activity, and uses and dangers of radioactivity. It also covers nuclear reactions like fission and fusion as energy sources, the fission of U-235, nuclear chain reactions, the roles of control rods and moderators, and differences between fusion and fission. Students are asked to self-rate their understanding of each objective both before and after revising the topics.

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Kenneth Knight
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57 views2 pages

Physics Dept Topic Checklist Radioactivity and Particles (A) Units Students Should

This document provides a checklist of learning objectives related to radioactivity and particles, fission, and fusion for a physics department. It includes units of measurement for radioactivity, descriptions of the structure of atoms and different types of radiation, how radiation can be detected, concepts of half-life and activity, and uses and dangers of radioactivity. It also covers nuclear reactions like fission and fusion as energy sources, the fission of U-235, nuclear chain reactions, the roles of control rods and moderators, and differences between fusion and fission. Students are asked to self-rate their understanding of each objective both before and after revising the topics.

Uploaded by

Kenneth Knight
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics Dept Topic Checklist

Radioactivity and Particles

(a) Units
Students should:
7.1 use the following units: becquerel (Bq), centimetre (cm), hour (h), minute (min) and second (s)

For each Learning Objective, rate your understanding (1 very little – 5 excellent) both before you
have started revising and afterwards.

(b) Radioactivity
Learning Objective (with Specification Reference No) Before After
Revision Revision
(1-5) (1-5)
7.2 describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and
electrons and use
14
symbols such as 6C to describe particular nuclei
7.3 know the terms atomic (proton) number, mass (nucleon) number
and isotope
−
7.4 know that alpha (α) particles, beta (β ) particles, and gamma (γ)
rays are ionising radiations emitted from unstable nuclei in a random
process
−
7.5 describe the nature of alpha (α) particles, beta (β )
particles, and gamma (γ) rays, and recall that they may be
distinguished in terms of penetrating power and ability to ionize
7.6 practical: investigate the penetration powers of different
types of radiation using either radioactive sources or simulations
7.7 describe the effects on the atomic and mass numbers of a
nucleus of the emission of each of the four main types of radiation
(alpha, beta, gamma and neutron radiation)
7.8 understand how to balance nuclear equations in terms of mass and
charge
7.9 know that photographic film or a Geiger−Müller detector can
detect ionising radiations
7.10 explain the sources of background (ionising) radiation from Earth
and space
7.11 know that the activity of a radioactive source decreases
over a period of time and is measured in becquerels
7.12 know the definition of the term half-life and understand
that it is different for different radioactive isotopes
7.13 use the concept of the half-life to carry out simple
calculations on activity, including graphical methods
7.14 describe uses of radioactivity in industry and medicine
7.15 describe the difference between contamination and irradiation
7.16 describe the dangers of ionising radiations, including:
 that radiation can cause mutations in living organisms
 that radiation can damage cells and tissue
 the problems arising from the disposal of radioactive waste
and how the associated risks can be reduced.

(c) Fission and fusion


Learning Objective (with Specification Reference No) Before After
Revision Revision
(1-5) (1-5)
7.17 know that nuclear reactions, including fission, fusion and
radioactive decay, can be a source of energy
7.18 understand how a nucleus of U-235 can be split (the process of
fission) by collision with a neutron, and that this process releases energy
as kinetic energy of the fission products
7.19 know that the fission of U-235 produces two radioactive daughter
nuclei and a small number of neutrons
7.20 describe how a chain reaction can be set up if the neutrons
produced by one fission strike other U-235 nuclei
7.21 describe the role played by the control rods and moderator
in the fission process
7.22 understand the role of shielding around a nuclear reactor
7.23 explain the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear
fission
7.24 describe nuclear fusion as the creation of larger nuclei resulting
in a loss of mass from smaller nuclei, accompanied by a release of
energy
7.25 know that fusion is the energy source for stars
7.26 explain why nuclear fusion does not happen at low temperatures
and pressures, due to electrostatic repulsion of protons

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