Achieve an A* in your A Level Physics exams with our expertly written notes on 'Particles and Radiation'. Created by a student who scored an A*, these notes are clear and easy to understand. Dive into the fascinating world of particle physics, covering fundamental particles, antiparticles, and phot...
3.2.1.1.
What are the main constituents of an atom? (i.e. What does an atom consist of?)
- positively charged nucleus → comprises protons and neutrons
- electrons surround the nucleus
Nucleon def.?
- a proton or a neutron in the nucleus (the proton is a nucleon whenever it is inside the
nucleus and so is the neutron)
How are electrons held inside the atom?
- nucleus is positively charged
- electrons are negatively charged
→ electrostatic force of attraction between atoms and nucleus
Charge, charge relative to proton, mass and mass relative to proton of electron,
proton and neutron?
Isotope def.?
- atoms of the same element with diff. no. of neutrons, but same no. of protons
Use of isotopic data?
e.g.
Atomic no. def.? Symbol?
- proton number
-Z
Mass no. def.? Symbol?
- nucleon number (total no. of protons and neutrons found in the nucleus of an atom)
-A
Standard notation for isotopes (same for atoms too actually)?
Nuclide def.?
- a type of nucleus
- e.g.
, Specific charge def.? Unit?
- the charge/its mass of a particle
- unit: C/kg
- e.g.
3.2.1.2.
Strong nuclear force def.?
- the force that holds nucleons together in the nucleus
→ does this by overcoming the electrostatic force of repulsion between the
protons in the nucleus
Describe the features of the strong nuclear force? E.g. range?
1) it has a range of 3fm (so its range is the size of a nucleus) → the force
becomes negligible past 3fm
→ the strong nuclear force differs from the electrostatic force of attraction BCS
the electrostatic force between 2 charged particles has an infinite range ← it’s
just getting weaker, the further apart the atoms are
2) has the same effect between 2 protons as it does between 2 neutrons or a
proton and a neutron
3) this force is attractive from 3fm down to about 0.5fm
→ below 0.5fm it becomes repulsive, in order to ensure that the nucleons are not
being pushed into each other
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