Nuclear Physics
The atom, isotopes, the three radiations, decay equations, half-life, and fission versus fusion, a compact topic where every mark is either a definition or a piece of bookkeeping.
What this lesson covers
Nuclear Physics is a 8-part O Level Physics lesson. Each part makes one point and then hands over to the next, so it can be read in a sitting or picked up again at the part you stopped on. It defines the idea in plain words before using it, works through an example step by step, breaks the topic into its parts and compares them, shows where it is used outside the textbook, names the mistakes that cost marks in an exam, ends with a recap of what to remember.
How it begins
An atom is a tiny, dense, positive nucleus of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. Evidence: Rutherford's alpha-scattering. Most alphas passed straight through gold foil (the atom is mostly empty space), a few bounced back (there is a small, massive, positive centre). Notation: ᴬ𝓏X. Z is the proton number and fixes the element; A is the nucleon number, protons plus neutrons. Neutrons = A − Z.
The 8 parts
- The nucleus, and the notation that carries the marks
- Alpha, beta, gamma
- Decay equations and half-life
- Choosing a source for the job
- Fission, fusion, and safety
- Where marks go
- What to remember
- Watch one worked through
Practise Nuclear Physics
Everything on QuizByt for O Level Physics that goes with this lesson: read it first, then test yourself while it is fresh.
🧠 5 quizzes on Nuclear Physics (2 easy, 2 medium, 1 hard)
Work up from easy to hard: the hard quiz asks the O Level exam-style questions on Nuclear Physics.
🖨️ Printable worksheet
Nuclear Physics on paper for O Level, with room to write the working out. Preview the first page free.
🎮 Games for O Level Physics
Memory and reasoning games at the right level for O Level. Passing a quiz on Nuclear Physics earns the credits that open them.
This topic needs a subscription
This lesson is part of a paid plan. Create a free account to start with our free lessons, or subscribe to open every topic.
- 🆓 Free lessons are open on any account
- 📗 Monthly: 5 paid topics a month
- 📘 Yearly: 7 paid topics a month
- ⭐ Premium, every topic, unlimited
- 🧺 Or buy this single topic, the lesson is included