Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Physics > P4/Atomic Structure > Flashcards

P4/Atomic Structure Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Physics 101 flashcards AP® Physics flashcards
1
Q

what is the radius of an atom?

A

1x10-10 m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

which two particles make up the nucleus of an atom?

A

protons and neutrons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

where, in an atom, are the electrons found?

A

orbiting the nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

the radius of the nucleus is what fraction of the radius of the atom?

A

1/10,000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what do we call the different distances that the electrons can be from the nucleus?

A

energy nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

how can an electron move to a higher energy level?

A

when the atom absorbs electromagnetic radiation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

which number tells us the number of protons?

A

the atomic number

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

how can you work out the number of neutrons in an atom?

A

mass number-atomic number

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what do we call atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons?

A

isotopes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what do atoms turn into if they lose one or more of their outer electrons?

A

positive ions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

before the discovery of the electron, atoms were thought to be what?

A

tiny spheres that could not be divided into anything smaller

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

the discovery of the electron led to which model of the atom?

A

the plum pudding model

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

the plum pudding model suggested that the atom is a ball of positive charge with negative electrons located where?

A

embedded everywhere in it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

the results from the alpha particle scattering experiment led to the conclusion that the mass of an atom was concentrated at the centre (nucleus) and that the nucleus was what?

A

positively charged

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

the nuclear model replaced what?

A

the plum pudding model

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Niels Bohr adapted the nuclear model by suggesting that electrons orbit the nucleus in what?

A

shells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

later experiments led to the idea of which particle?

A

the positively charged proton

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

the experimental work of James Chadwick provided the evidence to show the existence of which particles within the nucleus?

A

neutrons

19
Q

what do we call the process when an unstable nucleus gives out radiation to become a more stable nucleus?

A

radioactive decay

20
Q

what do we call the rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decay?

A

activity

21
Q

what is the unit for activity?

A

becquerel (Bq)

22
Q

what do we call the number of decay that are detected each second?

A

count-rate

23
Q

what is an alpha particle made of?

A

2 protons and 2 neutrons

24
Q

what is a beta particle?

A

a high speed electron

25
Q

what happens in the nucleus to make a beta particle?

A

a neutron turns into a proton

26
Q

what is gamma radiation?

A

electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus

27
Q

what can stop alpha particles?

A

a sheet of paper, a few cm of air or skin

28
Q

what would you need to stop gamma radiation?

A

a few cm of lead or a few metres of concrete

29
Q

which type of radiation is the most ionising?

A

alpha

30
Q

which type of radiation is the least ionising?

A

gamma

31
Q

what name is given to the amount of time it takes for half of a radioactive sample to decay?

A

half-life

32
Q

what do we call the presence of unwanted radioactive atoms on or in other materials?

A

contamination

33
Q

what do we call the exposure of objects to radioactivity?

A

irradiation

34
Q

what do we call the radiation that is around us all the time?

A

background radiation

35
Q

what units do we measure radiation dose in?

A

seiverts (Sv) or millisieverts (mSv)

36
Q

give two ways in which radioactivity is used in medicine?

A

exploration of internal organs

control and destruction of cancerous tissue

37
Q

what name is given to the splitting of a large nucleus in to two smaller nuclei?

A

nuclear fission

38
Q

what particle must be absorbed by a nuclei to undergo fission?

A

neutron

39
Q

which particles are produced during nuclear fission?

A

2 or 3 more neutrons

40
Q

what else is released in nuclear fission?

A

energy

41
Q

what is the danger of the extra neutrons?

A

a chain reaction

42
Q

what is the name given to the joining together of small nuclei to make larger ones?

A

nuclear fusion

43
Q

during nuclear fusion mass is converted into what?

A

energy

Physics (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions