nuclear and particle physics Flashcards
what is meant by the unified atomic mass unit
1/12 of the mass of a carbon 12 atom. 1u=1.661x10^-27 kg
what is meant by the proton number
the number of nucleons inside the nucleus of the atom also known as the atomic number
deductions from the alpha particle scattering experiment
the vast majority of the mass of the atom is contained within a small volume called the nucleus
the nucleus has a positive charge
the nucleus of the atom is significantly smaller than the atom itself.
equate the energy lost to the electric potential energy at the distance of the closest approach
1/2mv^2=Qq/4π∑r
what is the strong nuclear force
acts between nucleons and holds the nucleus together against the electrostatic repulsion of the protons
what are the properties of strong nuclear force
-acts within the confines of the nucleus
-force acts between nucleons independent of charge
-provides a repulsive force between nucleons for distances of separation of around 0.5x10^-15
-it is attractive between distances of 3.0x10^-15 and 0.5x10^-15
is the relationship between nucleus size and nucleon number linear?
no, R=roA^1/3
ro=constan
calculate density
p=m/v
what is the equation for density of a nucleus
p=3m/4πr^3
what are fundamental particles
are particles that cannot be broken down into smaller components
what are hadrons
are particles consisting of a combination of quarks to give a net charge of zero or whole number. all experience the strong force
name two particles which are hadrons
neutrons and protons
what are leptons and two examples
fundamental particles. electrons and neutrinos
what are quarks
components of hadrons , and have a fractional electric charge. different types of quarks.
up, down and strange.
what is a neutrino
is a fundamental particle with almost no mass and zero charge. each neutrino has an antimatter particle called an antineutrino.
what is the weak nuclear force
felt by both quarks and leptons. It can change quarks from one type to another or leptons from one type to another is responsible for beta decay.
what is an antiparticle
is a particle of antimatter that has the same rest mass, but, if charged, the equal and opposite charge to its corresponding particle.
what two groups can subatomic particles
hadrons and leptons
what are antiparticles
the opposite charge to the associated particle
properties of quarks
spin, baryon number, lepton number, stangness and charm
the quark theory
up, down and strange quarks.
what is an alpha particle
is a particle comprising two protons and two neutrons ejected from nucleus during radioactive decay. it is identical to helium nucleus and is emitted due to its unusually high stability as a particle.
why did they do the alpha particle experiment in a vacuum
the alpha particles cannot travel too far without getting absorbed by the air.
what is a scintillator
when a high energy particle hits it, it gives out a flash of light.
how did the scattering experiment disprove the plum pudding model
alpha particles were passing through the gold leaf, meaning the majority of the atom was empty
some particles were deflected by an angle
some of the particles were deflecting backwards (more than 90º)
what were the inferences made about atoms after the scattering experiment
there is a large area of concentrated positive mass, which managed to repel the positive alpha particle.
there must also be neutrons because the protons couldn’t account for all the mass of the elements