BRAINCAKEAtomic structure
Revision notes for Atomic structure in AQA Physics (8463). Every lesson in BrainCake comes with R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps, a quick check and spaced reviews.
- The structure of an atomAtoms are very small.
- Mass number, atomic number and isotopesIn an atom the number of electrons equals the number of protons in the nucleus.
- The development of the model of the atom (common content with chemistry)Scientific models change when new experimental evidence does not fit them.
- Radioactive decay and nuclear radiationSome atomic nuclei are unstable.
- Nuclear equationsNuclear equations show radioactive decay.
- Half-lives and the random nature of radioactive decayRadioactive decay is random.
- Radioactive contaminationRadioactive contamination is the unwanted presence of materials containing radioactive atoms on other materials.
- Background radiationBackground radiation is low-level radiation that is around us all of the time.
- Different half-lives of radioactive isotopesRadioactive isotopes have a very wide range of half-life values.
- Uses of nuclear radiationNuclear radiations are used in medicine in two main ways: to explore internal organs, and to control or destroy unwanted tissue.
- Nuclear fissionNuclear fission is the splitting of a large, unstable nucleus, such as uranium or plutonium, into smaller nuclei.
- Nuclear fusionNuclear fusion is the joining of two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus.