Atomic and Nuclear

Last updated on: 02/08/2011

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since 7/11/09

Unit Objectives
Unit Activities
Key Terms (Vocab)
Unit Notes
Equations
Helpful Links

Topic Outline--print off before 1/4/11

Unit Objectives: This is a summary of the syllabus statements that are detailed on the topic outline.

	Understand the nuclear model of the atom and atomic energy levels
	Explain the structure of an atom and interactions within the nucleus
	Understand and explain the general process of natural radioactive decay
	Describe the properties and characteristics of alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays
	Understand and describe the processes and products of alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay
	Describe the biological effects of exposure to ionizing radiation
	Explain nuclear stability
	Describe radioactive half-life; use a decay curve to determine the half-life of a nucleus; solve problems involving half-lives
	Understand and describe the processes of fission and fusion
	Understand and apply Einstein's mass-energy equivalence to determine energy produced during nuclear reactions
	Understand the concept of binding energy, including the interpretation of a binding energy curve

Interesting link: biography of Louis Slotin (referenced in "Dirty Bomb" video)

Fusion in the sun! Simulation of the proton-proton cycle

Units of Study:

Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement

Topic 2: Mechanics

Topic 3: Thermal Physics

Topic 4: Oscillations and Waves

Topic 5: Electric currents

Topic 6: Fields and forces

Topic 7: Atomic and nuclear physics

Topic 8: Energy, power and climate change

Unit Activities

	Experimental determination of the half-life of a radioactive substance
	Research project: RadioIsotopes
	Cloud Chambers

Key Terms

	Nucleus
	Neutron
	Proton
	Electron
	Planetary Model of the atom
	atomic energy level
	Geiger-Marsden experiment (gold foil experiment)
	nuclide
	isotope
	nucleon
	nucleon number
	proton number
	neutron number
	strong nuclear force
	weak nuclear force
	natural radioactive decay
	neutrino
	antineutrino
	alpha (a) particle
	beta (b^-) particle
	beta (b⁺) particle
	gamma (g) radiation
	ionizing radiation
	Alpha decay
	beta decay
	gamma decay
	positron emission
	electron capture
	radioactive half-life
	decay curve
	artificial (induced) transmutation
	nuclear equations
	unified atomic mass unit
	MeV c^-2 and GeV c^-2
	mass-energy equivalence relationship
	mass defect
	binding energy
	binding energy per nucleon
	binding energy graph
	nuclear fission
	nuclear fusion
	proton-proton cycle
	Nuclear power
	controlled nuclear fission
	uncontrolled nuclear fission
	nuclear chain reaction
	moderator
	control rods
	thermal fission reactor
	critical mass
	fuel enrichment

Unit Equations--

E = mc²

The next equations are not in your data booklet, but will also be handy to know (these you must memorize through repeated practice...you will NOT be given these for any test or quiz!):

m_defect = m_expected - m_measured

n = (½)^x·N
where n is the number of particles (or the mass) remaining after x half-lives and N is the initial quantity

Unit Notes

	Intro to Nuclear Physics--a history--last year's version...will be updated when I remember to bring my usb drive home :) however, there are virtually no differences (except a typo or two) between this and what we're using this year.
	Nuclear Decay
	Nuclear Reactions (binding energy, fission, and fusion)
	Nuclear Power