Definitions and Concepts for Edexcel Physics GCSE

Topic 6: Radioactivity

Definitions in ​bold ​are for higher tier only

Definitions marked by ‘*’ are for separate sciences only

Activity: ​The rate at which an unstable nucleus decays. The activity of a

radioactive source reduces over time.

Alpha Particle:​ A positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two
neutrons.

Atomic Number: ​The number of protons found in an atom of a specific element.

Each element has a different atomic number.

Background Radiation: ​Radiation that is found in small quantities all around us

and originates from natural sources such as rocks and cosmic rays, as well as
from man-made sources such as nuclear weapons testing and accidents.

Becquerel: ​The unit of radioactive activity.

Beta Particle: ​A high speed electron that a nucleus emits when a neutron
converts into a proton.

Bohr Model:​ A model of the atom that suggested that electrons orbit the nucleus
at set distances.

*Chain Reaction:​ The process of neutrons released by a fission reaction, being

absorbed by another unstable, large nuclei, and inducing further fission.

Electrons:​ A negatively charged constituent of the atom, that are found in

different energy levels, around the nucleus.

Element: ​A substance that cannot be chemically broken down into other

substances. Each element has a characteristic number of protons in its nucleus.

Energy Levels: ​The stable states in which electrons are found in around a
nucleus. Electrons can transition to a higher energy level through the absorption of
electromagnetic radiation and can transition to a lower energy level through the
emission of electromagnetic radiation.
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*Fission Products: ​Fission produces two smaller nuclei, two or three neutrons
and gamma rays. All these products are released with kinetic energy.

Gamma Ray:​ Electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus.

Geiger-Muller Tube: ​A device used to detect ionising radiation.

Half-Life: ​The time it takes for the number of unstable nuclei of an isotope in a
sample to halve, or the time it takes for the initial count rate of a sample of the
isotope to halve.

Ions:​ Atoms with a resultant charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.

Irradiation: ​The process of an object being exposed to nuclear radiation. The

object doesn’t become radioactive.

Isotopes: ​Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of
neutrons. The atomic number is the same, but the mass number is different.

Mass Number: ​The number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Negative Ions: ​Atoms that gained electrons and so have a resultant negative
charge.

Neutrons: ​A neutrally charged constituent of the nucleus.

*Nuclear Fission: ​The splitting of a large and unstable nucleus into two smaller
and more stable nuclei to produce energy. This is the method currently used in
nuclear power stations.

*Nuclear Fusion: ​The joining of two small, light nuclei to form a larger, heavier
one and release energy. It cannot happen at low pressures and temperatures
since in these conditions the electrostatic repulsion of protons in the nucleus
cannot be overcome.

Nucleus: ​The positively charged centre of an atom, containing protons and

neutrons.

*PET Scanner:​ A medical imaging device that uses radioactive tracers and
detectors to form internal body images.

Plum Pudding Model: ​An old model of the atom that represented the atom as a
ball of positive charge, with negative charges distributed throughout it.

Positive Ions: ​Atoms that have lost electrons and so have a resultant positive
charge.

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Protons: ​A positively charged constituent of the nucleus.

Radioactive Contamination:​ The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on

other materials. It is hazardous due to the decay of the contaminating atoms.

Radioactive Decay: ​The random process involving unstable nuclei emitting

radiation to become more stable.

Random Nature of Radioactive Decay: ​You cannot predict which nuclei in a

radioactive sample will decay next, or when the next decay will occur - it is a
random process.

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 Definitions and Concepts for Edexcel Physics IGCSE

Topic 7: Radioactivity and Particles

Definitions in ​bold ​are for higher tier only

Definitions marked by ‘*’ are for separate sciences only

Activity: ​The rate at which an unstable nucleus decays. The activity of a radioactive source
reduces over time.

Alpha Particle: ​A positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons.
They are highly ionising, but can be stopped by a few centimetres of air.

Atomic Number: ​The number of protons found in an atom of a specific element. Each
element has a different atomic number.

Background Radiation: ​Radiation that is found in small quantities all around us and
originates from natural sources such as rocks and cosmic rays, as well as from man-made
sources such as nuclear weapons testing and accidents.

Becquerel: ​The unit of radioactive activity.

Beta Particle: ​A high speed electron that a nucleus emits when a neutron converts into a
proton. They are ionising but can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium.

Chain Reaction: ​The process of neutrons released by a fission reaction, being absorbed by
another unstable, large nuclei, and inducing further fission.

Control Rods: ​Found in nuclear reactors to control the rate of fission. They absorb neutrons,
preventing them from inducing further fission reactions.

Electrons: ​A negatively charged constituent of the atom, that are found in different energy
levels, around the nucleus.

Energy Levels: ​The stable states in which electrons are found in around a nucleus.
Electrons can transition to a higher energy level through the absorption of electromagnetic
radiation and can transition to a lower energy level through the emission of electromagnetic
radiation.

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Fission Products: ​Fission produces two smaller nuclei, two or three neutrons and gamma
rays. These products are released with kinetic energy.

Gamma Ray:​ Electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus. They have a very high
penetrating power and require several centimetre of lead to absorb them.

Geiger-Muller Tube: ​A device used to detect ionising radiation.

Half-Life: ​The time it takes for the number of unstable nuclei of an isotope in a sample to
halve, or the time it takes for the initial count rate of a sample of the isotope to halve. It is
different for different isotopes.

Ions: ​Atoms with a resultant charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.

Ionising Radiation: ​Radiation that can cause cell mutations, damage cells and tissues, and
lead to cancers.

Irradiation: ​The process of an object being exposed to nuclear radiation. The object doesn’t
become radioactive.

Isotopes: ​Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The
atomic number is the same, but the mass number is different.

Mass Number:​ The number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Mass-Energy Equivalence: ​All matter has an associated energy. This means that mass can
be converted into energy in the form of radiation.

Moderator:​ ​A substance found in nuclear reactors to slow down neutrons so they are at
suitable speeds to induce fission in fissile nuclei.

Negative Ions:​ Atoms that gained electrons and so have a resultant negative charge.

Neutrons: ​A neutrally charged constituent of the nucleus.

Nuclear Fission: ​The splitting of a large and unstable nucleus into two smaller and more
stable nuclei to produce energy. This is the method currently used in nuclear power stations.

Nuclear Fusion:​ The joining of two small, light nuclei to form a larger, heavier one and
release energy. It cannot happen at low pressures and temperatures since in these
conditions the electrostatic repulsion of protons in the nucleus cannot be overcome.

PET Scanner:​ A medical imaging device that uses radioactive tracers and detectors to form
internal body images.

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Photographic Film:​ ​A material that reacts to ionising radiation, allowing an image to be
formed.

Positive Ions: ​Atoms that have lost electrons and so have a resultant positive charge.

Protons:​ A positively charged constituent of the nucleus.

Radioactive Contamination: ​The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on other

materials. It is hazardous due to the decay of the contaminating atoms.

Radioactive Decay: ​The random process involving unstable nuclei emitting radiation to
become more stable.

Random Nature of Radioactive Decay: ​You cannot predict which nuclei in a radioactive
sample will decay next, or when the next decay will occur - it is a random process.

Shielding: ​A barrier used to prevent radioactive daughter products leaving a nuclear reactor.

Uranium-235: ​The radioactive isotope used in nuclear reactors. It is often referred to as

U-235.

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 Definitions and Concepts for AQA Physics GCSE

Topic 4: Atomic Structure

Definitions in ​bold ​are for higher tier only

Definitions marked by ‘*’ are for separate sciences only

Activity: ​The rate at which an unstable nucleus decays.

Alpha Particle:​ A positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two
neutrons.

Atomic Number:​ The number of protons found in an atom of a specific element.

Each element has a different atomic number.

*Background Radiation:​ Radiation that is found in small quantities all around us

and originates from natural sources such as rocks and cosmic rays, as well as
from man-made sources such as nuclear weapons testing and accidents.

Becquerel:​ The unit of radioactive activity.

Beta Particle:​ A high speed electron that a nucleus emits when a neutron
converts into a proton.

Bohr Model: ​A model of the atom that suggested that electrons orbit the nucleus
at set distances.

*Chain Reaction:​ The process of neutrons released by a fission reaction, being

absorbed by another unstable, large nuclei, and inducing further fission.

Count-Rate:​ The number of decays that a detector measures per second.

Electrons: ​A negatively charged constituent of the atom, that are found in

different energy levels, around the nucleus.

Energy Levels:​ The stable states in which electrons are found in around a
nucleus. Electrons can transition to a higher energy level through the absorption of
electromagnetic radiation and can transition to a lower energy level through the
emission of electromagnetic radiation.

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*Fission Products:​ Fission produces two smaller nuclei, two or three neutrons
and gamma rays. All these products are released with kinetic energy.

Gamma Ray:​ Electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus.

Geiger-Muller Tube:​ A detector that measures the count-rate of a radioactive

sample.

Half-Life:​ The time it takes for the number of unstable nuclei of an isotope in a
sample to halve, or the time it takes for the initial count rate of a sample of the
isotope to halve.

Ions:​ Atoms with a resultant charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.

Irradiation:​ The process of an object being exposed to nuclear radiation. The

object doesn’t become radioactive.

Isotopes:​ Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of
neutrons. The atomic number is the same, but the mass number is different.

Mass Number:​ The number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Negative Ions: ​Atoms that gained electrons and so have a resultant negative
charge.

Neutrons: ​A neutrally charged constituent of the nucleus.

*Nuclear Explosions:​ Nuclear explosions in nuclear weapons are caused by an

uncontrolled chain reaction which results in vast quantities of energy being
produced in a very small period of time.

*Nuclear Fission: ​The splitting of a large and unstable nucleus into two smaller
and more stable nuclei to produce energy.

*Nuclear Fusion: ​The joining of two small, light nuclei to form a larger, heavier
one and release energy.

Nucleus: ​The positively charged centre of an atom, containing protons and

neutrons.

Plum Pudding Model: ​An old model of the atom that represented the atom as a
ball of positive charge, with negative charges distributed throughout it.

Positive Ions: ​Atoms that have lost electrons and so have a resultant positive
charge.

Protons:​ A positively charged constituent of the nucleus.

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Radioactive Contamination:​ The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on
other materials. It is hazardous due to the decay of the contaminating atoms.

Radioactive Decay: ​The random process involving unstable nuclei emitting

radiation to become more stable.

*Sieverts:​ The unit used for radiation dosage.

*Spontaneous Fission:​ Fission that occurs without the absorption of a neutron.

Spontaneous fission is rare and in most cases, fission is induced with a neutron.

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 Definitions and Concepts for CAIE Physics GCSE

Topic 5: Atomic Physics

Definitions in ​bold ​are for extended students only

5.1 The Nuclear Atom

5.1.1 Atomic Model

Alpha particle: ​A positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two
neutrons. They are highly ionising, but can be stopped by a few centimetres of
air.

Atom: ​The smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of

the element, consisting of a nucleus containing combinations of neutrons and
protons and one or more electrons bound to the nucleus by electrical attraction.

Electrons: ​A negatively charged constituent of the atom, that are found in different
energy levels, around the nucleus.

5.1.2 Nucleus

Isotopes: ​Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
The atomic number is the same, but the mass number is different.

Nuclear fission: ​The splitting of a large and unstable nucleus into two smaller
and more stable nuclei to produce energy. This is the method currently used in
nuclear power stations.

Nuclear fusion:​ ​The joining of two small, light nuclei to form a larger, heavier
one and release energy. It cannot happen at low pressures and temperatures
since in these conditions the electrostatic repulsion of protons in the
nucleus cannot be overcome.

Nucleon number: ​The number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Nucleus: ​Is a collection of particles called protons, which are positively charged,
and neutrons, which are electrically neutral.

Nuclide: ​Refers to an atom with a distinct number of protons and neutrons in its
nucleus.

Nuclide notation​: Is a shorthand method of showing information about atoms.

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Proton number: ​The number of protons found in an atom of a specific element. Each
element has a different proton number.

5.2 Radioactivity

5.2.1 Detection of Radioactivity

Background radiation: ​Radiation that is found in small quantities all around us and
originates from natural sources such as rocks and cosmic rays, as well as from
man-made sources such as nuclear weapons testing and accidents.

Beta particle: ​A high speed electron that a nucleus emits when a neutron converts
into a proton. ​They are ionising but can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium.

Gamma ray:​ Electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus. They have a very high
penetrating power and require several centimetre of lead to absorb them.

5.2.2 Characteristics of the three kinds of Emission

Ionisation​: The process in which an electron is given enough energy to

break away from an atom.

Random nature of radioactive decay: ​You cannot predict which nuclei in a

radioactive sample will decay next, or when the next decay will occur - it is a random
process.

5.2.3 Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay: ​The random process involving unstable nuclei emitting radiation
to become more stable. During α- or β-decay the nucleus changes to that of a different
element.

5.2.4 Half-Life

Half life: ​The time it takes for the number of unstable nuclei of an isotope in a
sample to halve, or the time it takes for the initial count rate of a sample of the
isotope to halve. It is different for different isotopes.

5.2.5 Safety Precautions

Ionising radiation: ​Radiation that can cause cell mutations, damage cells and tissues,
and lead to cancers.

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