10/22/2024

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Core Supplement
• Describe the structure of an atom in
terms of a positive nucleus and negative • Describe how the scattering of α-
electrons particles by thin metal foils provides
evidence for the nuclear atom

• Describe the composition of the

• State the meaning of nuclear fission and
nucleus in terms of protons and
nuclear fusion
neutrons
• State the charges of protons and
neutrons
• Use the term proton number Z
• Use the term nucleon number A
• Use the term nuclide and use the
nuclide notation A ZX
• Balance equations involving nuclide
• Use and explain the term isotope
notation

PHYSICS – The Nuclear Atom

Atoms Atoms

Atomic structure Atomic structure

The Nucleus

1
 10/22/2024

Atoms Atoms

Atomic structure Atomic structure

The Nucleus The Nucleus

1) It’s in the middle of the atom 1) It’s in the middle of the atom
2) It contains protons and
neutrons

Atoms Atoms

Atomic structure Atomic structure

The Nucleus The Nucleus

1) It’s in the middle of the atom 1) It’s in the middle of the atom
2) It contains protons and 2) It contains protons and
neutrons neutrons
3) It has a positive charge 3) It has a positive charge
because of the protons. because of the protons.
4) Almost the whole mass of the
atom is concentrated in the
nucleus.

2
 10/22/2024

Atoms Atoms

Atomic structure Atomic structure

The Electrons The Electrons

1) Move around the nucleus.

Atoms Atoms

Atomic structure Atomic structure

The Electrons The Electrons

1) Move around the nucleus 1) Move around the nucleus
2) They’re negatively charged. . 2) They’re negatively charged.
3) They’re tiny, but they cover a lot of
space..

3
 10/22/2024

Atoms Atoms

Atomic structure Atomic structure

The Electrons The Electrons

1) Move around the nucleus 1) Move around the nucleus
2) They’re negatively charged. 2) They’re negatively charged.
3) They’re tiny, but they cover a lot of 3) They’re tiny, but they cover a lot of
space.. space..
4) The volume their orbits occupy 4) The volume their orbits occupy
determines how big the atom is. determines how big the atom is.
5) They have virtually no mass.

Atoms Atoms

Atomic structure Atomic structure

The Electrons The Electrons

1) Move around the nucleus 1) Move around the nucleus
2) They’re negatively charged. 2) They’re negatively charged.
3) They’re tiny, but they cover a lot of 3) They’re tiny, but they cover a lot of
space.. space..
4) The volume their orbits occupy 4) The volume their orbits occupy
determines how big the atom is. determines how big the atom is.
5) They have virtually no mass. 5) They have virtually no mass.
6) They occupy shells around the 6) They occupy shells around the
nucleus. nucleus.
7) These shells explain the whole of
chemistry.

4
 10/22/2024

Atoms Atoms

Atomic structure Electron Shell Rules

Summary 1) Electrons always occupy SHELLS or

2nd
ENERGY LEVELS.
1st
Particle Mass Charge

Proton 1 +1

Neutron 1 0

Electron 1/2000 -1

Atoms Atoms

Electron Shell Rules Electron Shell Rules

1) Electrons always occupy SHELLS or

2nd 1) Electrons always occupy SHELLS or
2nd
ENERGY LEVELS. ENERGY LEVELS.
2) The LOWEST energy levels are ALWAYS 1st 2) The LOWEST energy levels are ALWAYS 1st
FILLED FIRST. FILLED FIRST.
3) Only a certain number of electrons are
allowed in each shell:
1st shell: 2
2nd shell: 8
3rd shell: 8

5
 10/22/2024

Atoms Atoms

Electron Shell Rules Electron Shell Rules

1) Electrons always occupy SHELLS or

2nd 1) Electrons always occupy SHELLS or
2nd
ENERGY LEVELS. ENERGY LEVELS.
2) The LOWEST energy levels are ALWAYS 1st 2) The LOWEST energy levels are ALWAYS 1st
FILLED FIRST. FILLED FIRST.
3) Only a certain number of electrons are 3) Only a certain number of electrons are
allowed in each shell: allowed in each shell:
1st shell: 2 1st shell: 2
2nd shell: 8 2nd shell: 8
3rd shell: 8 3rd shell: 8

4) Atoms are much HAPPIER when they have 4) Atoms are much HAPPIER when they have
FULL electron shells. FULL electron shells.
5) In most atoms the OUTER SHELL is NOT
FULL and this makes the atom want to
REACT.

Atoms Atoms
We just need to know
Electron Shell Rules Atomic Number and Mass Number these two simple numbers

1) Electrons always occupy SHELLS or

2nd
ENERGY LEVELS.
2) The LOWEST energy levels are ALWAYS 1st
FILLED FIRST.
3) Only a certain number of electrons are
allowed in each shell:
1st shell: 2
2nd shell: 8
3rd shell: 8

4) Atoms are much HAPPIER when they have

FULL electron shells.
5) In most atoms the OUTER SHELL is NOT
FULL and this makes the atom want to
REACT.

So, how do we know how many electrons, protons and neutrons there are?

6
 10/22/2024

Atoms Atoms
We just need to know We just need to know
Atomic Number and Mass Number these two simple numbers
Atomic Number and Mass Number these two simple numbers

Na Na
23 THE MASS NUMBER 23
- Total of Protons and Neutrons

11 11

Atoms Atoms
We just need to know We just need to know
Atomic Number and Mass Number these two simple numbers
Atomic Number and Mass Number these two simple numbers

Na Na
THE MASS NUMBER 23 THE MASS NUMBER 23
- Total of Protons and Neutrons - Total of Protons and Neutrons

THE ATOMIC NUMBER 11 THE ATOMIC NUMBER 11

- Number of Protons (and electrons) - Number of Protons (and electrons)
1) The atomic number tells you how many protons there are.

7
 10/22/2024

Atoms Atoms
We just need to know We just need to know
Atomic Number and Mass Number these two simple numbers
Atomic Number and Mass Number these two simple numbers

Na Na
THE MASS NUMBER 23 THE MASS NUMBER 23
- Total of Protons and Neutrons - Total of Protons and Neutrons

THE ATOMIC NUMBER 11 THE ATOMIC NUMBER 11

- Number of Protons (and electrons) - Number of Protons (and electrons)
1) The atomic number tells you how many protons there are. 1) The atomic number tells you how many protons there are.
2) This also tells you how many electrons there are. 2) This also tells you how many electrons there are.
3) To get the number of neutrons – just subtract the atomic number from the
mass number.

Atoms Atoms
We just need to know We just need to know
Atomic Number and Mass Number these two simple numbers
Atomic Number and Mass Number these two simple numbers

Na Na
THE MASS NUMBER 23 THE MASS NUMBER 23
- Total of Protons and Neutrons - Total of Protons and Neutrons

THE ATOMIC NUMBER 11 THE ATOMIC NUMBER 11

- Number of Protons (and electrons) - Number of Protons (and electrons)
1) The atomic number tells you how many protons there are. 1) The atomic number tells you how many protons there are.
2) This also tells you how many electrons there are. 2) This also tells you how many electrons there are.
3) To get the number of neutrons – just subtract the atomic number from the 3) To get the number of neutrons – just subtract the atomic number from the
mass number. mass number.
4) The mass number is always the biggest number. It tells you the relative mass 4) The mass number is always the biggest number. It tells you the relative mass
of the atom. of the atom.
5) The mass number is always roughly double the atomic number.

8
 10/22/2024

Atoms Atoms
We just need to know
Atomic Number and Mass Number these two simple numbers
Atomic Number and Mass Number

Na
THE MASS NUMBER 23 Also known as the
- Total of Protons and Neutrons NUCLEON NUMBER (A)

THE ATOMIC NUMBER 11

- Number of Protons (and electrons)
1) The atomic number tells you how many protons there are.
2) This also tells you how many electrons there are.
3) To get the number of neutrons – just subtract the atomic number from the
mass number.
4) The mass number is always the biggest number. It tells you the relative mass
of the atom.
5) The mass number is always roughly double the atomic number.
6) Which means there’s about the same number of protons as neutrons in any
nucleus.

Atoms Atoms

Atomic Number and Mass Number Atomic Number and Mass Number

Also known as the Also known as the

NUCLEON NUMBER (A) NUCLEON NUMBER (A)

Also known as the Also known as the

PROTON NUMBER (Z) PROTON NUMBER (Z)

This is known as Each different

X
A
the NUCLIDE type of atom is
NOTATION Z called a NUCLIDE

9
 10/22/2024

Atoms Supplement Atoms Supplement

Atomic Number and Mass Number Atomic Number and Mass Number

Also known as the Also known as the

NUCLEON NUMBER (A) NUCLEON NUMBER (A)

Also known as the Also known as the

PROTON NUMBER (Z) PROTON NUMBER (Z)

238 238 234

92 U 92 U Th
90

Atoms Supplement ISOTOPES

Atomic Number and Mass Number Different forms of the same element

Also known as the

NUCLEON NUMBER (A)

Also known as the

PROTON NUMBER (Z)

238 234 4

92 U Th
90 + 2 He

10
 10/22/2024

ISOTOPES ISOTOPES

Different forms of the same element Different forms of the same element

What’s the What’s the

difference difference
between between
these two? these two?

In the nucleus, this

one has 6 protons
and 6 neutrons.

ISOTOPES ISOTOPES

Different forms of the same element Different forms of the same element

Isotopes have the same atomic

number, but different mass numbers
Isotopes Isotopes
What’s the are atoms What’s the are atoms
difference with the difference with the
between same between same
number of number of
these two? protons but these two? protons but
a different a different
number of number of
neutrons. neutrons.

In the nucleus, this In the nucleus, this In the nucleus, this In the nucleus, this
one has 6 protons one has 6 protons one has 6 protons one has 6 protons
and 6 neutrons. and 7 neutrons. and 6 neutrons. and 7 neutrons.

11
 10/22/2024

ISOTOPES ISOTOPES
C C
12 13

6 6

Different forms of the same element Different forms of the same element

Isotopes have the same atomic

number, but different mass numbers
Isotopes
What’s the are atoms What are the
difference with the
features of
between same
number of isotopes?
these two? protons but
a different
number of
neutrons.

In the nucleus, this In the nucleus, this

one has 6 protons one has 6 protons
and 6 neutrons. and 7 neutrons.

ISOTOPES ISOTOPES

Different forms of the same element Different forms of the same element

Most elements Most elements

have different have different
What are the isotopes but What are the isotopes but
features of there’s usually features of there’s usually
isotopes? only one or two isotopes? only one or two
stable ones. stable ones.

The other isotopes tend to be radioactive, which

means that they decay into other elements and
give out radiation. This is where all radioactivity
comes from – unstable radioactive isotopes
undergoing nuclear decay and spitting out high
energy particles.

12
 10/22/2024

ATOMIC STRUCTURE Supplement ATOMIC STRUCTURE Supplement

WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE? WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE?

ATOMIC STRUCTURE Supplement ATOMIC STRUCTURE Supplement

WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE? WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE?

1911 Rutherford, Geiger and Marsden 1911 Rutherford, Geiger and Marsden

Beam of alpha particles Beam of alpha particles

Gold Gold
Alpha source foil Alpha source foil

Most alpha particles passed straight through

the gold atoms, but a few bounced off at large
angles. Conclusion: atom is largely empty
space, but positive charge and most mass
Alpha detector Alpha detector concentrated in a tiny nucleus at the centre.

13
 10/22/2024

ATOMIC STRUCTURE Supplement ATOMIC STRUCTURE Supplement

WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE?

1911 Rutherford, Geiger and Marsden Fission =

splitting
the atom

+ Stray
Beam of alpha particles neutron Uranium
235
Gold Most alpha
particles are nucleus
Alpha source foil undeflected

Some alpha
particles are
deflected slightly
A neutron strikes a
nucleus of Uranium
Most alpha particles passed straight through + 235 – this becomes
the gold atoms, but a few bounced off at large unstable, splits into
angles. Conclusion: atom is largely empty A few alpha
two lighter nuclei
space, but positive charge and most mass
particles bounce and releases 2 or 3
off the nucleus
Alpha detector concentrated in a tiny nucleus at the centre. neutrons.

ATOMIC STRUCTURE Supplement ATOMIC STRUCTURE Supplement

Fission = Energy can be released by fusing (joining Fusion = joining

splitting together) very light nuclei to make hydrogen nuclei
the atom heavier ones. For example, two hydrogen
nuclei can be joined together to form
Stray
neutron
helium.
Uranium
235
nucleus The emitted
neutrons go on to + +
split other nuclei,
Hydrogen-2 Hydrogen-3
and so on … the
result is a chain
reaction, releasing Fusion
A neutron strikes a
huge amounts of
nucleus of Uranium
energy
235 – this becomes + energy
unstable, splits into +
two lighter nuclei +
and releases 2 or 3
Neutron
neutrons. Helium

14
 10/22/2024

ATOMIC STRUCTURE Supplement ATOMIC STRUCTURE Supplement

Energy can be released by fusing (joining Fusion = joining Energy can be released by fusing (joining Fusion = joining
together) very light nuclei to make hydrogen nuclei together) very light nuclei to make hydrogen nuclei
heavier ones. For example, two hydrogen heavier ones. For example, two hydrogen
nuclei can be joined together to form nuclei can be joined together to form
helium. helium.

Fusion is very difficult to achieve – the Fusion is very difficult to achieve – the
+ + gas must be much hotter than any + + gas must be much hotter than any
temperatures normally achieved on Earth temperatures normally achieved on Earth
Hydrogen-2 Hydrogen-3 to overcome the natural repulsion of the Hydrogen-2 Hydrogen-3 to overcome the natural repulsion of the
fast-moving nuclei. fast-moving nuclei.
Fusion Fusion
Fusion occurs
naturally on the Sun,
+ energy + energy where four hydrogen
+ + nuclei fuse to form
+ + helium
Neutron Neutron
Helium Helium

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Core Supplement
• Describe the structure of an atom in
terms of a positive nucleus and negative • Describe how the scattering of α-
electrons particles by thin metal foils provides
evidence for the nuclear atom

• Describe the composition of the

• State the meaning of nuclear fission and
nucleus in terms of protons and
nuclear fusion
neutrons
• State the charges of protons and
neutrons
• Use the term proton number Z
• Use the term nucleon number A
• Use the term nuclide and use the
nuclide notation A ZX
• Balance equations involving nuclide
• Use and explain the term isotope
notation

PHYSICS – The Nuclear Atom

15