Topic 7 Nuclear and particle physics

7A Probing matter

7A.1 A nuclear atom

1 Students’ own answers
2 Main reason is the small size of atoms, experimentation needed to get to smaller and smaller scales,
requiring detection technology at smaller and smaller scales
3 Strengths: e.g. distance between nucleus and orbits is much larger than size of particles themselves, as with
real Solar System; there is a force holding orbiting objects in place in both cases
Weaknesses: e.g. electrons do not all orbit in same plane, cf. the ecliptic; planets can have continuously
variable orbital energies, electrons have only fixed energy orbits; electrons may not follow continuous path
around their orbit, but follow probability function as to their location
4 A = 9; B = 4

7A.2 Electrons from atoms

1 (a) 1.2 × 10–10 m
(b) 3.5 × 10–11 m
(c) 1.3 × 10–13 m
(d) Students’ own answers of the order of 10–36 m
2 The Davisson–Germer experiment proved diffraction of electrons and measured their effective wavelength.
3 1.45 × 1011 m s–1, which is faster than light
4 Diagram with horizontal and vertical pairs of electric plates. Explanation that horizontal field will be used
as time-base and vertical field connected to measuring electrodes in order to alter vertical position of trace.

7A Exam practice
1 (a) B
(b) B
2 C
3 D
4 QWC (quality of written communication) (i and iii) – spelling of technical terms must be correct and the
answer must be organised in a logical sequence; including:
Observations:
Most alpha particles went straight through
Some deflected
(Very) few came straight back / large angle
Conclusions:
Atom mainly (empty) space
Nucleus contains most of the mass
(Nucleus) very small / tiny
(Nucleus) charged / positive

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5 (a) Identifying the equations
𝑝2 ℎ
Ek = and λ =
2𝑚 𝑝
OR
ℎ
λ = , p = mv and Ek = ½mv2
𝑝
Example of derivation
p = 2mEk
ℎ
λ=
√2𝑚𝐸𝑘
(b) Correct substitution of h2 and m
Use of Ek = eV
λ = 2.5 × 10−11 m
OR
Use of Ek = ½mv2 (to find v =3.0 × 107 (m s–1))
ℎ
Use of λ = with correct substitution for h and m
𝑝
λ = 2.5 × 10−11 m
Suggested calculation:
2
(6.63 × 10−34 J s)
λ=√
2(9.11 × 10−31 kg)(2500 V)(1.6 × 10−19 C)
λ = 2.46 × 10−11 m
OR
2(2500 V)(1.6 × 10−19 C)
v=√ = 3.0 × 107
9.1 × 10−31 kg
6.63 × 10−34 J s
λ=
(9.1 × 10−31 kg)(3.0 × 107 m s−1 )
6 (a) (i) Straight through, zero deflection, direction fired in
(ii) (Atom consists) mainly/mostly of empty space
OR volume of atom very much greater than volume of nucleus
(b) Most of the mass is in the nucleus/centre
(It is not enough to say that the nucleus is dense/concentrated. Looking for idea that nearly all of
the atom’s mass is in the nucleus.)
Nucleus/centre is charged (just saying the nucleus is positive does not get the mark)
(c) (i) Electrostatic / electromagnetic / electric / coulomb
(ii) Arrow starting on the path at closest point to the nucleus
Arrow pointing radially away from nucleus
(iii) Deflection starts earlier
Final deflection is greater
(Paths should diverge.)
7 Small central nucleus
Most of atom is empty space
Nucleus contains all positive charge in an atom
Nucleus contains most of atom’s mass
Most alpha particles pass straight through with no deflection
Some alpha particles pass through the nucleus and are deflected sideways
A very few alpha particles are deflected by more than 90°
Diagram illustrating any of the above points
8 (a) For good diffraction to occur, the size of the gap should be approximately the same size as the
wavelength
The interatomic spacing in rubber is approximately 0.11 nm
ℎ
(b) (i) = 𝑝
ℎ 6.63  10−34
(ii) p= =
𝜆 0.11  10−9
p = 6.03  10−24 kg m s−1
𝑝 6.03  10−24
(iii) v= =
𝑚 9.11  10−31
= 6.62  106 m s−1
½𝑚𝑣2 0.5  9.11  10−31  (6.62  106 )2
(iv) V= =
𝑒 1.6  10−19

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 V = 125 V
(c) Neutrons have a much larger mass than electrons
So for the same de Broglie wavelength/momentum, they could move much slower
Approximately 2000 times slower / 3300 m s−1
ℎ ℎ
9 (a) (i) Use of λ = and p = mv OR v =
𝑝 𝑚𝜆
Use of m = 9.11 × 10–31 kg
v = 7.28 × 106 m s–1
Suggested calculation:
ℎ
λ=
𝑚𝑣
6.63 × 10–34 J s
v=
9.11 × 10–31 kg × 1.0 × 10–10 m
v = 7.28 × 106 m s–1
𝑝2
(ii) Use of Ek = ½mv2 OR Ek = OR Ek = 2.41 × 10–17 J
2𝑚
–19
Divided by 1.60 × 10
Ek = 151 eV
Suggested calculation:
2
½(9.11 × 10–31 kg)(7.28 × 106 m s–1 )
Ek =
1.60 × 1–19 J eV–1
Ek = 151 eV
(b) The wavelength is similar in size to the nucleus
The wavelength/nucleus is (much) smaller / 10–15m / 10–14 m

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