What this topic covers
Topic 6: Radioactivity has 4 subtopics:
- Atomic structure and isotopes
- Radiation types, detection and half-life
- Medical and industrial uses of radioactivity
- Fission, fusion and nuclear power
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GCSE Edexcel Higher Physics · Topic 6 of 15
Topic 6: Radioactivity – GCSE Edexcel Higher Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Atomic structure, radiation, half-life and nuclear physics. 29 lessons in 4 subtopics.
Revise Topic 6: Radioactivity for GCSE Edexcel Higher Physics, including Atomic structure and isotopes and Radiation types, detection and half-life.
29
Lessons
4
Subtopics
Topic 6: Radioactivity lessons by subtopic
29 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Atomic structure and isotopes
- The Structure of the Atom
- Electron Arrangement and Energy Levels
- Atomic Number, Mass Number, and Neutral Atoms
- Isotopes and Ion Formation
- Relative masses and charges of subatomic particles and positrons: Recall the relative masses and charges of protons, neutrons, electrons and positrons.
- Early Atomic Models
- The Nuclear Model
- Refining the Model: Bohr and Chadwick
Radiation types, detection and half-life
- Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Neutrons
- Radioactive Decay: Stability and Activity
- Applications and Choosing Radiation Sources
- Understanding Nuclear Equations
- Balancing Nuclear Equations: Practice writing balanced nuclear equations for alpha and beta decay.
- Understanding Half-Life
- Half-Life Calculations (HT)
- Radioactive Contamination and Irradiation
- Safety Precautions and Peer Review
- Beta-plus decay, ionisation and changes to proton and mass number: Explain beta-plus decay and compare the changes caused by alpha, beta, gamma and neutron emission.
Medical and industrial uses of radioactivity
- Sources of Background Radiation
- Radiation Dose and Measurement
- Half-Lives and Hazards of Radioactive Isotopes
- Nuclear Radiation in Medicine
- Evaluating Risks of Nuclear Radiation
- PET scanners, tracers, irradiation, contamination and radiotherapy: Explain PET scanning, medical uses of radioactivity, safety precautions and treatment routes.
Fission, fusion and nuclear power
- Understanding Nuclear Fission
- Energy Release and Chain Reactions
- Introduction to Nuclear Fusion
- Controlled chain reactions and electricity generation in nuclear reactors: Explain reactor control, moderators, control rods and how fission heat is used to generate electricity.
- Fusion conditions and why practical fusion power is difficult: Explain why fusion needs very high temperature and pressure and why that makes practical fusion power difficult.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Topic 6: Radioactivity?
Atomic structure, radiation, half-life and nuclear physics. 29 lessons in 4 subtopics.
What is an isotope?
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The Isotopes and Ion Formation notes cover this in full.
How many people died because of Chernobyl?
The WHO estimates about 4,000 total deaths from Chernobyl, the worst nuclear accident in history. The Evaluating Risks of Nuclear Radiation notes cover this in full.
What is the atomic number?
The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which defines the element. The Atomic Number, Mass Number, and Neutral Atoms notes cover this in full.
What is the relative mass of an electron?
The relative mass of an electron is 1/1840, which is negligible, compared with 1 for a proton or neutron. The The Structure of the Atom notes cover this in full.
Who discovered the electron?
J.J. The Early Atomic Models notes cover this in full.
What was the alpha particle scattering experiment?
The alpha particle scattering experiment was Rutherford's experiment in which alpha particles were fired at thin gold foil to investigate atomic structure by observing how the particles were deflected. The The Nuclear Model notes cover this in full.
What is a beta particle?
A beta particle is a high-speed electron ejected from the nucleus when a neutron transforms into a proton during radioactive decay. The Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Neutrons notes cover this in full.
What is the structure of an atom?
An atom has a tiny, dense, positively charged nucleus containing protons and neutrons at its centre, with negatively charged electrons around it. The The Structure of the Atom notes cover this in full.