What this topic covers
Particles and radiation has 2 subtopics:
- Particles
- Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena
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A Level AQA Physics · Topic 2 of 13
Particles and radiation – A Level AQA Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Particles and radiation covers Particles and Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena in A Level AQA Physics. 15 lessons in 2 subtopics.
Revise Particles and radiation for A Level AQA Physics, including Particles and Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena.
15
Lessons
2
Subtopics
Particles and radiation lessons by subtopic
15 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Particles
- Particles and Antiparticles: Discover the world of particles and their antiparticles, exploring their properties and relationships.
- Photons and the Planck Constant: Explore the photon model of electromagnetic radiation and its relationship to the Planck constant, using E=hf=hc/λ to solve problems.
- Annihilation and Pair Production: Learn about the processes of annihilation and pair production, focusing on the energies involved. Understand that E=mc^2 is not required for calculations.
- Conservation Laws in Particle Physics: Explore the application of conservation laws in particle interactions, including charge, baryon number, lepton number, strangeness, energy and momentum.
- Quark Character Changes in Beta Decay: Understand how the quark character changes during beta minus and beta plus decay.
- The Strong Nuclear Force: Explore the nature of the strong nuclear force and its crucial role in maintaining nuclear stability.
- Alpha and Beta Decay: Investigate alpha and beta decay processes in unstable nuclei, including decay equations and the importance of the neutrino.
- Quarks and Antiquarks: Properties and Combinations: Explore the fundamental properties of quarks and antiquarks, including charge, baryon number, and strangeness. Learn how these particles combine to form baryons and mesons.
Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena
- Wave-Particle Duality: Introduction: An introduction to the wave-particle duality of matter and electromagnetic radiation, focusing on experimental evidence and the changing understanding of matter.
- De Broglie Wavelength and Diffraction: Exploring the de Broglie wavelength equation, its relationship to momentum, and how changes in momentum affect particle diffraction.
- Ionisation, Excitation & the Fluorescent Tube: Explore ionisation and excitation processes, focusing on their role in the fluorescent tube.
- The Electron Volt and Energy Conversions: Define the electron volt (eV) and practice converting between eV and Joules (J).
- Energy Levels and Photon Emission: Explore line spectra as evidence for discrete energy levels and apply the equation hf = E1 - E2, working with both Joules and electron volts.
- Threshold Frequency and Work Function: Explore the photoelectric effect, focusing on threshold frequency, photon explanation, and work function.
- The Photoelectric Equation: Learn and apply the photoelectric equation to calculate the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Particles and radiation?
Particles and radiation covers Particles and Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena in A Level AQA Physics. 15 lessons in 2 subtopics.
What is a photon?
A photon is a discrete quantum, or packet, of electromagnetic radiation. The Photons and the Planck Constant notes cover this in full.
What is an alpha particle?
An alpha particle is identical to a helium-4 nucleus: two protons and two neutrons, written ⁴₂He. The Alpha and Beta Decay notes cover this in full.
What happens to a nucleus in alpha decay?
The nucleus emits an alpha particle, a helium-4 nucleus of two protons and two neutrons, so its nucleon number falls by 4 and its proton number by 2. The Alpha and Beta Decay notes cover this in full.
What is the de Broglie wavelength equation?
The de Broglie wavelength equation is λ = h / mv, where h is the Planck constant (6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J s), m is the particle's mass in kg and v is its speed in m s⁻¹. The De Broglie Wavelength and Diffraction notes cover this in full.
What is an electron volt?
An electron volt (eV) is the energy transferred to, or gained by, a single electron when it is accelerated through a potential difference of one volt. The The Electron Volt and Energy Conversions notes cover this in full.
What is a positron?
A positron is the antiparticle of the electron, written e⁺. The Particles and Antiparticles notes cover this in full.
Do photons have mass?
Photons have zero rest mass and travel at the speed of light in a vacuum. The Photons and the Planck Constant notes cover this in full.
Is light a wave or a particle?
Light behaves as both a wave and a particle, depending on the experiment. The Wave-Particle Duality: Introduction notes cover this in full.