The nuclear atom

Question 1

Rutherford’s observations and deductions

Answer 1

1. most alpha particles pass straight through the gold foil showing most of the atoms were empty space
2. a few are deflected back to the observer at an angle bigger than 90. this shows a positive charge is concentrated in a tiny volume - the nucleus

Question 2

describe the structure of an atom

Answer 2

a nucleus made of protons and neutrons are concentrated in the middle surrounded by shells of electrons

Question 3

describe Rutherfords alpha scattering experiment

Answer 3

alpha particles were fired at gold foil and detected using a zinc sulphide screen

Question 4

describe coulombs law

Answer 4

the equation shows the electrostatic interaction between electrically charged particles

Question 5

what equations are used to determine the force of attraction between nucleons?

Answer 5

coulombs law and newtons law of gravitation

Question 6

2 facts about the strong nuclear force

Answer 6

attractive and very short ranged

Question 7

proton number

Answer 7

the number of protons inside the nucleus

Question 8

nucleon number

Answer 8

the number of neutrons and protons in a nucleus

Question 9

isotope

Answer 9

nuclei with the same proton number but different number of neucleons

Question 10

what is conserved in nuclear decay?

Answer 10

charge and mass

Question 11

what are protons made off?

Answer 11

up up down

Question 12

what are neutrons made of?

Answer 12

up down down

Question 13

name 6 quarks

Answer 13

top and bottom, strange and charm, topness and bottomness

Question 14

what are the two types of beta decay?

Answer 14

beta plus and minus

Question 15

what is produced during b- and b+ decay

Answer 15

during b+ a neutrino

during b- an antineutrino

Question 16

name two leptons

Answer 16

electrons and neutrinos

Question 17

describe radioactive decay

Answer 17

spontaneous and random

Question 18

spontaneous decay

Answer 18

the decay cannot be induced and occurs without external influence

Question 19

random decay

Answer 19

it cannot be predicted when or which nucleus will decay

Question 20

nature and range of alpha decay

Answer 20

nature: 2 protons and 2 neutrons

range 3=10cm of air or 0.2mm of paper

Question 21

nature and range of beta decay

Answer 21

nature;