A LEVEL PHYSICS
PAPER 1 ALL IN ONE NOTES
AQA Physics
2024 Summer Exams
Chapter 1 Matter & Radiation
Atoms are formed of protons, neutrons and electrons.
Centre of an atom is a nucleus formed of protons and neutrons => nucleons
Electrons orbit the nucleus in shells
Properties of particles:
Charge
Specific charge=
Mass
Specific charge of a particle = charge-mass ratio
1
, - Characterise particles such as electrons, protons and ions
Isotopes = atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of
neutrons
Carbon dating = calculating the percentage of isotope remaining in the object and
using the known starting value and its half-life to calculate the approximate age
Strong nuclear force = keeps nuclei stable by counteracting the electrostatic force
of repulsion between protons in the nucleus (same charge)
- Only acts on nucleons & has a very short range
Unstable nuclei = those which have too many of either protons, neutrons or both
causing the SNF to not be enough to keep them stable
- This type of decay depends on the amount of nucleon in them
Alpha decay (α )
- Occurs in large nuclei with too many of both protons and neutrons
- General equation:
−¿¿
Beta-minus decay ( β )
- Occurs in nuclei which are neutron-rich
2
PAPER 1 ALL IN ONE NOTES
AQA Physics
2024 Summer Exams
Chapter 1 Matter & Radiation
Atoms are formed of protons, neutrons and electrons.
Centre of an atom is a nucleus formed of protons and neutrons => nucleons
Electrons orbit the nucleus in shells
Properties of particles:
Charge
Specific charge=
Mass
Specific charge of a particle = charge-mass ratio
1
, - Characterise particles such as electrons, protons and ions
Isotopes = atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of
neutrons
Carbon dating = calculating the percentage of isotope remaining in the object and
using the known starting value and its half-life to calculate the approximate age
Strong nuclear force = keeps nuclei stable by counteracting the electrostatic force
of repulsion between protons in the nucleus (same charge)
- Only acts on nucleons & has a very short range
Unstable nuclei = those which have too many of either protons, neutrons or both
causing the SNF to not be enough to keep them stable
- This type of decay depends on the amount of nucleon in them
Alpha decay (α )
- Occurs in large nuclei with too many of both protons and neutrons
- General equation:
−¿¿
Beta-minus decay ( β )
- Occurs in nuclei which are neutron-rich
2
