Igcse 71 Atoms&Radioactivity

EDEXCEL IGCSE / CERTIFICATE IN PHYSICS 7-1
Atoms and Radioactivity

Edexcel IGCSE Physics pages 199 to 208
January 24th 2013
All content applies for Triple & Double Science
Edexcel Specification
Section 7: Radioactivity and particles b) Radioactivity describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons and use symbols such as 146C to describe particular nuclei understand the terms atomic (proton) number, mass (nucleon) number and isotope understand that alpha and beta particles and gamma rays are ionising radiations emitted from unstable nuclei in a random process describe the nature of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays and recall that they may be distinguished in terms of penetrating power describe the effects on the atomic and mass numbers of a nucleus of the emission of each of the three main types of radiation understand how to complete balanced nuclear equations
Atomic structure
An atom consists of a small central nucleus composed of protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons.
An atom will always have the same number of electrons as protons.
A Lithium atom
protons neutrons electrons
Atomic and mass number

The atomic number (or proton number) of an atom is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.
protons = 3 neutrons = 4 electrons = 3
The mass number (or nucleon number) of an atom is equal to the number of protons plus neutrons in its nucleus.
This Lithium atom has: atomic number = 3 mass number = 7
Properties of protons, neutrons and electrons

Position in the atom nucleus nucleus Relative mass Relative electric charge
PROTON
NEUTRON ELECTRON
1 1 0.0005
+1 0 -1
outside nucleus
Nuclear notation
An isotope of carbon consists of 6 protons and 8 neutrons. This can be written as:
carbon 14
Number of protons PLUS neutrons (Mass number)
OR:
Number of protons (Atomic number)
14
C 6
Chemical symbol
Isotopes
The atoms of an element always have the same number of protons. Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
The three isotopes of hydrogen
neutrons
hydrogen 1
hydrogen 2 (deuterium)
hydrogen 3 (tritium)
Note: The number after hydrogen is the mass number of the isotope.
Question 1
An isotope of uranium (chemical symbol U) consists of 92 protons and 143 neutrons. Give the two different ways of notating this isotope.
The mass number of the Uranium isotope:

= 92 + 143 = 235
uranium 235
AND
235
U 92
Question 2
Determine the number of protons and neutrons in the isotopes notated below:
(a) 13
7
protons = 7 neutrons = 6 p = 79 n = 118
(b) 60
27
Co Pu
p = 27 n = 33 p = 94 n = 145
(c) 197
79
Au
(d) 239
94
Note: Apart from the smallest atoms, most nuclei have more neutrons than protons.
Ionisation
Ionisation occurs when an atom loses or gains one or more electrons.
Lithium atom (uncharged)
When an atom loses electrons it becomes a positive ion. When an atom gains electrons it becomes a negative ion.
Lithium ion (positively charged)
Radioactivity and Ionising Radiation

The nuclei of some isotopes are unstable and when they decay they give of radiation that causes ionisation.
This phenomena is called radioactivity and the radiation produced is called ionising radiation Radioactivity is a random process. When a particular nucleus decays cannot be predicted.
Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in 1896
Alpha, beta and gamma radiation

An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. It is strongly ionising. A beta particle is a high speed electron. It is produced when a neutron has decays into an electron and proton. It is moderately ionising. Gamma rays are very high frequency electromagnetic waves. They are produced when an unstable nucleus loses energy.. They are weakly ionising.
The penetrating power of alpha, beta and gamma radiation
Paper or a few cm of air stops alpha particles
1cm or 1m of air of aluminium stops beta particles
Several cm of lead or 1m of concrete is needed to stop gamma rays
Deflection by magnetic fields

Alpha and beta particles are deflected in opposite directions due to their opposite charges. Due to their much larger mass alpha particles are deflected far less than beta. Gamma rays are not deflected because they are not charged.
S
Magnetic south pole placed behind the rays
Deflection by electric fields

Alpha and beta particles are deflected in opposite directions due to their opposite charges. Due to their much larger mass alpha particles are deflected far less than beta. + + +
Electric field produced by positively and negatively charged plates
Gamma rays are not deflected because they are not charged.
Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:

nucleus containing protons Atoms consist of a very small _______, and neutrons, surrounded by _______. electrons Atoms of the same protons but element will always have the same number of _______ isotopes of the same element will have different different ________ neutrons numbers of _________. radioactive The atoms of some substances are unstable and _________. beta particles or gamma rays. They may give off alpha or ______
Gamma rays are the most penetrating type of radiation, alpha is the least. _____
WORD SELECTION:
alpha
beta
protons
electrons isotopes
nucleus neutrons radioactive
Alpha decay
Alpha particles consist of two protons plus two neutrons. They are emitted by some of the isotopes of the heaviest elements.
Example: The decay of Uranium 238

238
92
234 90
Th +
Uranium 238 decays to Thorium 234 plus an alpha particle.
Notes:
1. The mass and atomic numbers must balance on each side of the equation: (238 = 234 + 4 AND 92 = 90 +2)
2. The alpha particle can also be notated as:
4 2
He
Question
Show the equation for Plutonium 239 (Pu) decaying by alpha emission to Uranium (atomic number 92). 239
94
Pu
235
92
Beta decay
Beta particles consist of high speed electrons. They are emitted by isotopes that have too many neutrons. One of these neutrons decays into a proton and an electron. The proton remains in the nucleus but the electron is emitted as the beta particle.
Example: The decay of Carbon 14

14
14 7
0 -1
Carbon 14 decays to Nitrogen 14 plus a beta particle.
Notes:
1. The beta particle, being negatively charged, has an effective atomic number of minus one.
2. The beta particle can also be notated as:
0 -1
Question
Show the equation for Sodium 25 (Na), atomic number 11, decaying by beta emission to Magnesium (Mg). 25 11 25
Na
12
Mg +
0
-1
Gamma decay
Gamma decay is the emission of electromagnetic radiation from an unstable nucleus Gamma radiation often occurs after a nucleus has emitted an alpha or beta particle. Example: Cobalt 60
60 27
Co
60 27
Co +
0 0
Cobalt 60 with excess ENERGY decays to

Cobalt 60 with less ENERGY plus gamma radiation.
Changing elements
Both alpha and beta decay cause the an isotope to change atomic number and therefore element. Alpha decay also causes a change in mass number. Decay type Atomic number Mass number
alpha
beta
DOWN by 2
UP by 1
DOWN by 4
NO CHANGE
gamma
NO CHANGE
NO CHANGE
Complete the decay equations below:

(a) (b)
88 59 59
26
Fe
Ra
27
Co +
0 -1
4 2
224
220 86 16
Rn +
0 -1
(c)
16 7
O +
Write equations showing how Lead 202 could decay into Gold. (This cannot happen in reality!)
Element Sym Z 202 Pb 198 Hg + 80 2 4
Platinum
Gold Mercury Thallium
Pt
Au Hg Tl
78
79 80 81
82
198
194 Hg Pt
78 194 Pt Au 79 + +
4
2
80 194 78
Lead Bismuth
Pb Bi
82 83
-1
There are other correct solutions
Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:

When an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle its atomic two four number falls by _______ and its mass number by ______.
neutrons Beta particles are emitted by nuclei with too many ________. one In this case the atomic number increases by ______ while the mass ________ number remains unchanged. electromagnetic radiation that is Gamma rays consist of ______________ energy emitted from a nucleus when it loses ________, often after undergoing alpha or beta decay. WORD SELECTION: four one energy two neutrons mass electromagnetic
Online Simulations
Build an atom - PhET - Build an atom out of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and see how the element, charge, and mass change. Then play a game to test your ideas! Atom builder - Freezeway.com Build an atom - eChalk Types of Radiation - S-Cool section on types of radiations including an animation of absorption and a couple of decay equations to fill in on screen. Decay series - Fendt BBC AQA GCSE Bitesize Revision:
Atoms, isotopes & radioactivity - Core Science Structure of an atom Isotopes Alpha, beta & gamma radiation Penetration properties Deflection radiation Radioactive decay equations
Atoms and Radioactivity

1. 2. 3. 4. Notes questions from pages 199 to 208 Describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons and explain the meaning of symbols such as 146C. Explain the meaning of (a) atomic number, (b) mass number and (c) isotope. What is alpha, beta and gamma radiation? Distinguish between them in terms of their ionisation and penetration powers. Describe the changes that occur to a nucleus when it undergoes alpha and beta decay. In each case give and example of a decay equation. Answer the questions on pages 207 and 208. Verify that you can do all of the items listed in the end of chapter checklist on page 207.
5. 6.

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Describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons and explain the meaning of symbols such as 14 6C.

Describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons and explain the meaning of symbols such as 14 6C.

Explain the meaning of (a) atomic number, (b) mass number and (c) isotope.

Explain the meaning of (a) atomic number, (b) mass number and (c) isotope.

EDEXCEL IGCSE / CERTIFICATE IN PHYSICS 7-1

Atoms and Radioactivity

All content applies for Triple & Double Science

Atomic and mass number

This Lithium atom has: atomic number = 3 mass number = 7

Properties of protons, neutrons and electrons

Number of protons PLUS neutrons (Mass number)

Number of protons (Atomic number)

The mass number of the Uranium isotope:

protons = 7 neutrons = 6 p = 79 n = 118

Lithium ion (positively charged)

Radioactivity and Ionising Radiation

Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in 1896

Alpha, beta and gamma radiation

The penetrating power of alpha, beta and gamma radiation

Paper or a few cm of air stops alpha particles

1cm or 1m of air of aluminium stops beta particles

Several cm of lead or 1m of concrete is needed to stop gamma rays

Deflection by magnetic fields

Deflection by electric fields

Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:

nucleus neutrons radioactive

Example: The decay of Uranium 238

Uranium 238 decays to Thorium 234 plus an alpha particle.

2. The alpha particle can also be notated as:

Example: The decay of Carbon 14

Carbon 14 decays to Nitrogen 14 plus a beta particle.

2. The beta particle can also be notated as:

Cobalt 60 with excess ENERGY decays to

Complete the decay equations below:

There are other correct solutions

Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:

Atoms and Radioactivity

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