Resources
Episode 518: Particle Accelerators
Produced by the Institute of Physics, discussions and demonstrations encourage students to apply their knowledge of charged particles and fields to understand particle accelerators and detectors.
The activities in this learning episode look at:
* acceleration in an electric field
* researching...
Episode 519: Particle Detectors
In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students see how cloud and bubble chambers can be used to detect sub-atomic particles. It explores the principle that, in general, detectors work by analyzing particle collisions using conservation laws (momentum, energy, charge).
The activities in...
Episode 520: Preparation for Rutherford Scattering Topic
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this topic looks at Rutherford's experiments on scattering and how this leads to the nuclear model. The activities deepen their understanding by making use of ideas about electric fields. Students will be familiar with the nuclear model of the atom, in which the atom is...
Episode 521: Rutherford’s Experiment
In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students look in detail at Rutherford’s experiment through discussion, demonstration and student experiment. The activities include: * discussing the significance of Rutherford’s experiment * demonstrating collisions and momentum * Rutherford scattering and...
Episode 522: The Size of the Nucleus
Starting from Rutherford's electron scattering experiment, these activities from the Institute of Physics, encourage students to consider experimental evidence for the size of the nucleus. Students look at alpha particle scattering and distance of closest approach. The learning episode examines:
* worked...
Episode 523: Preparation for Nuclear Stability Topic
Produced by the Institute of Physics, the learning episodes in this topic prompt students to consider why some nuclides are stable while others are unstable or radioactive. Starting from the pattern of stability, this section looks at forces in the nucleus and the idea of binding energy.
There are two...
Episode 524: Stable Nuclides
This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, looks at the pattern of nuclide stability using a spreadsheet to produce an N-Z plot. Students then consider the need for an additional, attractive force to hold the nucleus together.
The activities in this learning episode look at:
* which stable...
Episode 525: Binding Energy
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode contains worked examples and ideas for discussion that allow students to examine binding energy and perform data analysis to calculate the binding energy for a number of nuclides.
The activities include:
* discussion to introduce mass defect...
Episode 526: Preparation for Nuclear Fission Topic
Students may have strong feelings about the use of nuclear technology. Activities in this topic, from the Institute of Physics, help students make informed judgments on questions such as nuclear waste disposal or the use of depleted uranium in weaponry.
There are two learning episodes:
Episode 527:...
Episode 527: Nuclear Transmutation
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode helps students to move beyond the idea that nuclear changes are represented solely by alpha, beta and gamma decay. Students learn that other events occur when a nucleus absorbs a particle and becomes unstable.
The activities in this learning...