Nuclear Physics | AQA A-Level Physics (7408)
Nuclear Physics
- 263 questions
- 8 subtopics
- Paper 2, and available on Paper 3
- Paper 2 and Paper 3
Nuclear physics is examined on Papers 2 and 3.
It starts with the scattering experiment that revealed the nucleus, works through the properties of radiation and the decay law, then treats nuclear radius, binding energy and fission.
Sample questions from Nuclear Physics
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Rutherford scattering
What observation in Rutherford's experiment indicated the presence of a concentrated positive charge within the atom?
Show the answer
A small fraction of alpha particles were deflected through large angles -
α, β and γ radiation
How is the radiation type identified from the results of an absorption experiment?
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By observing which absorber causes a significant reduction in count rate. -
Radioactive decay
What two quantities must you know to calculate the activity of a radioactive sample using A = λN?
Show the answer
The decay constant λ and the number of undecayed nuclei N. -
Nuclear instability
By how much does the nucleon number (A) change during alpha decay?
Show the answer
The nucleon number decreases by 4 (ΔA = −4). -
Nuclear radius
How is nuclear radius determined from an electron diffraction pattern?
Show the answer
The angle of the first minimum in the diffraction pattern is related to the nuclear radius. -
Mass and energy
Explain how to convert a mass defect given in atomic mass units to binding energy in MeV.
Show the answer
Multiply the mass defect in atomic mass units by 931.5 MeV/u to obtain the binding energy in MeV. -
Induced fission
By what process does a moderator slow down neutrons?
Show the answer
Through elastic collisions between neutrons and moderator nuclei, which transfer kinetic energy from the neutron to the moderator. -
Safety aspects
What parameters do sensors monitor to automatically trigger emergency shut-down?
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Abnormal temperature, pressure, or neutron flux
The 8 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Rutherford scattering | The alpha scattering experiment, the observations that surprised Rutherford, and the nuclear model. | 19 |
| α, β and γ radiation | The nature, penetrating power and uses of each, the inverse-square law for gamma, and background correction. | 48 |
| Radioactive decay | The random nature of decay, the decay constant, the exponential decay law, activity and half-life. | 51 |
| Nuclear instability | The N against Z plot, the stability line, and the decay each region undergoes. | 30 |
| Nuclear radius | Distance of closest approach, electron diffraction, R = R₀A^(1/3), and the constancy of nuclear density. | 32 |
| Mass and energy | E = mc², mass defect and binding energy, the atomic mass unit, and calculating energy released. | 28 |
| Induced fission | Chain reactions, thermal neutrons, and the roles of the moderator and the control rods. | 21 |
| Safety aspects | Remote handling, shielding, emergency shut-down, and the storage of radioactive waste. | 34 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
AQA A-Level Physics Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 3,682 questions with their answers.