Particle physics

What you'll learn

• Infer from the results of the α-particle scattering experiment the existence and small size of the nucleus.
• Describe a simple model for the nuclear atom to include protons, neutrons and orbital electrons.
• Distinguish between nucleon number and proton number.
• Understand that isotopes are forms of the same element with different number of neutrons in their nuclei.
• Understand and use the notation A Z X for the representation of nuclides.
• Understand that nucleon number and charge are conserved in nuclear processes.
• Describe the composition, mass and charge of α-, β- and γ-radiations, including β− (electrons) and β+ (positrons).
• Understand that a quark is a fundamental particle and that there are six flavours (types) of quark: up, down, strange, charm, top and bottom.

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