Physics of The Atom
Physics of The Atom
Physics of The Atom
ATOM
C.Crichlow
RUTHERFORD
BOHR
CHADWICK
Building on Rutherfords
theory that positive
charges ( protons) could
not account for the
mass of the nucleus.
Chadwick went in
search of the neutral
particle with the mass
about that of a proton
(neutron).
He established the
plum pudding model of
the atom.
Electrons occupied
particular shells or
orbits based on their
energy levels.
An electron circled the
nucleus in its allowed
orbit without losing
energy.
An experiment
conducted by two
German scientists in
1930 yielded the
following results:
When Beryllium was hit
with alpha particles,
high energy radiation
was emitted.
He suggested that
electrons were
embedded in a diffuse
sphere of positive
charges.
THE GEIGER-MARSDEN
EXPERIMENT
This experiment helped Rutherford to formulate his planetary model of the atom.
The apparatus was set up as shown above where - particles (a helium nucleus that contains 2
protons and 2 neutrons) are directed onto a thin metal foil.
Results show that most of the alpha particles passed through the foil without being deflected.
Therefore, atoms are made up of mostly free space.
A few particles were deflected through small angles.
Even a fewer number of particles were deflected through 90 degrees or more. They behaved as if
they had approached an area of dense positive charge and were therefore repelled.
This led to the conclusion that an atom contains a small region of positive charge (protons &
neutrons).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuU4Ayom4b0
Relativ
e
charge
1/1840
-1
proton
+1
neutron
PERIODIC TABLE
The periodic table relates atoms in order of their proton number. E.g. A Boron atom
has five protons but a Carbon atom, found after Boron has 6 protons, one more than
Boron.
Going down a column (group), the number of electrons in the outer shells are the
same.
RADIOACTIVITY
This is the process whereby an unstable atom
spontaneously decays to become more stable
thereby emitting what is termed radioactive
particles.
One of the pioneers of radioactivity was Marie
Curie.
RADIOACTIVITY- Types of
Radioactive Emissions
There are 3 types of radioactive emissions.
These are ( alpha), ( gamma) and ( beta) emissions.
-particles
These are helium nuclei containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
-particles
These particles can be deflected in a magnetic field but in the opposite direction to an
alpha particle. They are therefore opposite in charge to these particles and were found to
be fast-moving electrons.
- radiation
This high energy radiation has a wave like nature and is part of the electro-magnetic
spectrum.
RADIOACTIVITY- Ranges of
Radioactive emissions
METHOD
Determine the background radiation count using the rate meter with no
source present
Place a pure alpha source less than 5cm from the G-M tube.
Record the rate meter reading.
Place a sheet of paper between the source and the G-M tube and record
the new rate meter reading. Repeat with thick sheets of paper.
Repeat the above steps with a pure Beta source, many sheets of paper and
sheets of aluminum of different thickness.
Repeat with a gamma source and include sheets of lead of varying
thickness.
RADIOACTIVITY- Ranges of
Radioactive emissions
RESULTS
RADIOACTIVITY-Detecting
Radiation in a cloud chamber
A cloud chamber is a device that allows us to see
the paths of radioactive particles. The sunlight
entering the chamber allows the tracks to be seen
clearly from above.
A cloud chamber
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
Parent nuclide
+
Daughter nuclide
Alpha particle
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
Parent nuclide
()
Daughter nuclide
Beta particle
()
()
SUMMARY
-particles
-particles
-radiation
Charge
+2
-1
None
Mass
( compared to a
proton)
1/1840
None
It is stopped by
5 cm of air or a
sheet of paper
mm of
aluminum
Several cm of
lead
Penetrative
power (relative
100
10, 000
Ionizing power
(relative)
10,000
(strongest)
100
1 (weakest)
Magnetic field
deflection
Yes
Yes
No
Electric field
deflection
Yes
Yes
No
RANDOM NATURE OF
RADIOACTIVE DECAY
RANDOM NATURE OF
RADIOACTIVE DECAY
HALF -LIFE
The
HALF-LIFE
=
Where is the initial activity of the source and is
the activity after n half-lives.
Do question # 2, pg. 346.
RADIOISOTOPES
These are radioactive isotopes, which have an
unstable atomic nucleus (due to the balance
between neutrons and protons).
They emit radioactive energy and particles when
they change to a more stable form.E.g. carbon14.
APPLICATIONS OF
RADIOISOTOPES
Tracers: When a small amount of radioactive
substance is added to a sample, the radioactive
substance acts like a tag as it can be traced.
C-14 dating.
Tracers are used medically to find tumors or clots.
They are used in chemical processes to highlight
varying stages.
They are used in industry esp. in the oil industry to
trace leaks.
https://
www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/common/pdf/radiological_hea
lth/radioisotopes.pdf
RADIATION SAFETY
Proper care must be taken when handling
radioactive samples.
No sample must enter the body through any
body orifice or cuts.
Radioactive sources should be handled with
tongs
Never point a source at anyone, including
yourself.
Safe storage.
Lead shields may also be used.
SUMMARY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJgc28csgV0
NUCLEAR ENERGY
NUCLEAR ENERGY
Nuclear
energy is released when nuclear reactions take
place.
Nuclear reactions involve either the splitting of large nuclei to
create smaller nuclei (Fission) or the bringing together of
light small nuclei to form a larger nuclei (Fusion).
A great deal of energy is released in these nuclear reactions.
This energy is characterized by Einstein's equation:
The change in energy produced by a nuclear reaction is related
to a change in mass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc2XnvSN2HY
Nuclear energy
Uranium-235 is the only naturally occurring nucleus that
can undergo fission.
The neutrons released from each fission reaction can
bombard other Uranium atoms and therefore leads to
more fissions causing a chain reaction.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBdVK4cqiFs
END