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Definitions (2)

The document provides definitions and concepts related to atomic structure for AQA Physics GCSE, including terms such as alpha particles, atomic number, and radioactive decay. It distinguishes between higher tier and separate sciences definitions, and covers key topics like nuclear fission, fusion, and radiation. Additionally, it explains various components of the atom, including protons, neutrons, and electrons, as well as the processes of radioactive decay and contamination.

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David Thomas
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4 views3 pages

Definitions (2)

The document provides definitions and concepts related to atomic structure for AQA Physics GCSE, including terms such as alpha particles, atomic number, and radioactive decay. It distinguishes between higher tier and separate sciences definitions, and covers key topics like nuclear fission, fusion, and radiation. Additionally, it explains various components of the atom, including protons, neutrons, and electrons, as well as the processes of radioactive decay and contamination.

Uploaded by

David Thomas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Definitions and Concepts for AQA Physics GCSE

Topic 4: Atomic Structure

Definitions in ​bold ​are for higher tier only

Definitions marked by ‘*’ are for separate sciences only

Activity: ​The rate at which an unstable nucleus decays.

Alpha Particle:​ A positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two
neutrons.

Atomic Number:​ The number of protons found in an atom of a specific element.


Each element has a different atomic number.

*Background Radiation:​ Radiation that is found in small quantities all around us


and originates from natural sources such as rocks and cosmic rays, as well as
from man-made sources such as nuclear weapons testing and accidents.

Becquerel:​ The unit of radioactive activity.

Beta Particle:​ A high speed electron that a nucleus emits when a neutron
converts into a proton.

Bohr Model: ​A model of the atom that suggested that electrons orbit the nucleus
at set distances.

*Chain Reaction:​ The process of neutrons released by a fission reaction, being


absorbed by another unstable, large nuclei, and inducing further fission.

Count-Rate:​ The number of decays that a detector measures per second.

Electrons: ​A negatively charged constituent of the atom, that are found in


different energy levels, around the nucleus.

Energy Levels:​ The stable states in which electrons are found in around a
nucleus. Electrons can transition to a higher energy level through the absorption of
electromagnetic radiation and can transition to a lower energy level through the
emission of electromagnetic radiation.

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*Fission Products:​ Fission produces two smaller nuclei, two or three neutrons
and gamma rays. All these products are released with kinetic energy.

Gamma Ray:​ Electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus.

Geiger-Muller Tube:​ A detector that measures the count-rate of a radioactive


sample.

Half-Life:​ The time it takes for the number of unstable nuclei of an isotope in a
sample to halve, or the time it takes for the initial count rate of a sample of the
isotope to halve.

Ions:​ Atoms with a resultant charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.

Irradiation:​ The process of an object being exposed to nuclear radiation. The


object doesn’t become radioactive.

Isotopes:​ Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of
neutrons. The atomic number is the same, but the mass number is different.

Mass Number:​ The number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Negative Ions: ​Atoms that gained electrons and so have a resultant negative
charge.

Neutrons: ​A neutrally charged constituent of the nucleus.

*Nuclear Explosions:​ Nuclear explosions in nuclear weapons are caused by an


uncontrolled chain reaction which results in vast quantities of energy being
produced in a very small period of time.

*Nuclear Fission: ​The splitting of a large and unstable nucleus into two smaller
and more stable nuclei to produce energy.

*Nuclear Fusion: ​The joining of two small, light nuclei to form a larger, heavier
one and release energy.

Nucleus: ​The positively charged centre of an atom, containing protons and


neutrons.

Plum Pudding Model: ​An old model of the atom that represented the atom as a
ball of positive charge, with negative charges distributed throughout it.

Positive Ions: ​Atoms that have lost electrons and so have a resultant positive
charge.

Protons:​ A positively charged constituent of the nucleus.

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Radioactive Contamination:​ The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on
other materials. It is hazardous due to the decay of the contaminating atoms.

Radioactive Decay: ​The random process involving unstable nuclei emitting


radiation to become more stable.

*Sieverts:​ The unit used for radiation dosage.

*Spontaneous Fission:​ Fission that occurs without the absorption of a neutron.


Spontaneous fission is rare and in most cases, fission is induced with a neutron.

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