Topic 12: Quantum and Nuclear Physics
Topic 7: Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics
13.1 Quantum Physics
The quantum nature of radiation
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13.1.1
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Describe the photoelectric effect
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textbook pages 914-918
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13.1.2
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Describe the concept of the photon, and use it to explain the photoelectric effect
note: you should be able to explain why the wave model of light is unable to account for the photoelectric effect, and you should be able to describe and explain the Einstein model |
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13.1.3
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Describe and explain an experiment to test the Einstein model
i.e. Describe the experiment conducted by Millikan, involving the application of a stopping potential to determine the energy of the ejected electrons (hint...this is what the simulation we did was based on) |
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13.1.4
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Solve problems involving the photoelectric effect
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the wave nature of matter
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13.1.5
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Describe the de Broglie hypothesis and the concept of matter waves
you must also be conceptually aware of the wave-particle duality (the dual nature of both radiation and matter) |
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13.1.6
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Outline an experiment to verify the de Broglie hypothesis
i.e. a brief outline of the Davisson-Germer experiment |
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13.1.7
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Solve problems involving matter waves
you should be able to calculate the wavelength of electrons after acceleration through a given potential difference |
Atomic spectra and atomic energy states
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13.1.8
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Outline a laboratory procedure for producing and observing atomic spectra (both emission and absorption spectra)
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13.1.9
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Explain how atomic spectra provide evidence for the quantization of energy in atoms
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13.1.10
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Calculate wavelengths of spectral lines from energy level differences and vice versa
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13.1.11
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Explain the origin of atomic energy levels in terms of the "electron in a box" model
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13.1.12
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Outline the Schrodinger model of the hydrogen atom.
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13.1.13
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Outline the Heisenberg uncertainty principle with regard to position-momentum and time-energy
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13.2 Nuclear Physics
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13.2.1
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Explain how the radii of nuclei may be estimated from charged particle scattering experiments
note: this refers to "closest-approach distances", relating kinetic energy and Coulomb scattering |
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13.2.2
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Describe how the masses of nuclei may be determined using a Bainbridge mass spectrometer
note: students should be able to draw a schematic diagram of the Bainbridge mass spectrometer. Experimental summary is expected, specific details not. Students should appreciate that nuclear mass values provide evidence for the existence of isotopes. |
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13.2.3
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Describe one piece of evidence for the existence of nuclear energy levels
note: example--energies of radioactive decay products; how do nuclear energy levels compare to atomic energy levels (for which the evidence is the emission spectra showing electron energies) |
Radioactive Decay
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13.2.4
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Describe Beta-plus decay, including the existence of the neutrino
note: students should know that beta energy spectra are continuous, and that the neutrino was postulated to account for these spectra |
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13.2.5
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State the radioactive decay law as an exponential function, and define the decay constant
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13.2.6
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Derive the relationship between decay constant and half-life
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13.2.7
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Outline methods for measuring the half-life of an isotope
note: this includes being able to describe/explain the principles of measurement for both long and short half-lives |
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13.2.8
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Solve Problems involving radioactive half-life
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