p4 Flashcards
who came up with the plum pudding model?
- JJ Thompson
describe the plum pudding model
- an atom with a ball of positive charge surrounded by electrons (which carry a negative charge)
which two scientists conducted the alpha-scattering experiment?
- Marsden and Rutherford
describe the alpha-scattering experiment
- Scientists took a piece of gold foil
- Scientists then fired POSITIVE alpha particles at the gold
- Most of the alpha particles passed straight through = so most of the atom is EMPTY SPACE.
- Sometimes, the alpha particles bounce straight back = the centre of the atom contains the MOST MASS.
- Some deflected slightly = the CENTRE OF THE ATOM HAS A POSITIVE CHARGE.
what did Bohr discover?
- electrons orbit the nucleus
what did James Chadwick discover?
- the nucleus contains neutrons
in which order were protons, neutrons and electrons discovered?
- electrons, protons and neutrons
- describe the nuclear model of the atom
- The model has a very small positively charged nucleus surrounded by outer electrons at a large distance from the nucleus. The protons and neutrons, which contain nearly all of the mass of the atom, are located in the nucleus at the centre of the atom.
what is the radius of an atom?
- 1 x 10^-10 m
what is the radius of a nucleus?
- 1 x 10^-14 m
what kind of process is radioactive decay?
- random
what are the units of radioactivity?
- Becquerels (Bq)
what piece of equipment is used to measure radioactive decay?
gieger counter
what is an alpha particle?
- helium nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons)
what is the range of an alpha particle in the air?
- a few cm
what are beta particles?
- fast-moving electrons (e-1)
what is the range of a beta particle in the air?
- a few metres
what are gamma rays?
- an electromagnetic wave
what is the range of a gamma ray in the air?
- several metres
what can an alpha particle be stopped by?
- stopped by a sheet of paper
what can a beta particle be stopped by?
- stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium
what can a gamma ray be stopped by?
- concrete or a thick block of lead
what is the ionising power of an alpha particle?
- very strong
what is the ionising power of a beta particle?
- quite strong