Syllabus - Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy

Topic 7: Atomic and nuclear physics (9 hours)Aim 7: There are opportunities throughout this topic to look at databases, use spreadsheets, exploresimulations and perform data-logging experiments.7.1 The atom 2 hoursAssessment statement Obj NotesAtomic structure7.1.1 Describe a model of the atom thatfeatures a small nucleus surrounded byelectrons.2 Students should be able to describe a simplemodel involving electrons kept in orbit around thenucleus as a result of the electrostatic attraction7.1.2 Outline the evidence that supports anuclear model of the atom.7.1.3 Outline one limitation of the simple modelof the nuclear atom.7.1.4 Outline evidence for the existence ofatomic energy levels.Nuclear structure7.1.5 Explain the terms nuclide, isotope andnucleon.7.1.6 Define nucleon number A, proton number Zbetween the electrons and the nucleus.2 A qualitative description of the Geiger-Marsdenexperiment and an interpretation of the results areall that is required.22 Students should be familiar with emission andabsorption spectra, but the details of atomicmodels are not required.31Students should understand that light is not acontinuous wave but is emitted as “packets” or“photons” of energy, each of energy hf.and neutron number N.7.1.7 Describe the interactions in a nucleus. 2 Students need only know about the Coulombinteraction between protons and the strong, shortrangenuclear interaction between nucleons.7.2 Radioactive decay 3 hoursAssessment statement Obj NotesRadioactivity7.2.1 Describe the phenomenon of naturalradioactive decay.2 The inclusion of the antineutrino in β− decay isrequired.7.2.2 Describe the properties of alpha (α) 2and beta (β) particles and gamma(γ) radiation.7.2.3 Describe the ionizing properties ofalpha (α) and beta (β) particles andgamma (γ) radiation.2