11. Particle physics
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11.1 Atoms, nuclei and radiation
11.1.1The results of the α-particle scattering experiment the existence and small
• infer from the results of the α-particle scattering experiment the existence and small size of the nucleus
11.1.2A simple model for the nuclear atom to include protons, neutrons and orbital
• describe a simple model for the nuclear atom to include protons, neutrons and orbital electrons
11.1.3Nucleon number and proton number
• distinguish between nucleon number and proton number
11.1.4Isotopes are forms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons in
• understand that isotopes are forms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei
11.1.5The notation A Z X for the representation of nuclides
• understand and use the notation A Z X for the representation of nuclides
11.1.6Nucleon number and charge are conserved in nuclear processes
• understand that nucleon number and charge are conserved in nuclear processes
11.1.7The composition, mass and charge of α-, β- and γ-radiations (both β–
• describe the composition, mass and charge of α-, β- and γ-radiations (both β– (electrons) and β+ (positrons) are included)
11.1.8An antiparticle has the same mass but opposite charge to the corresponding
• understand that an antiparticle has the same mass but opposite charge to the corresponding particle, and that a positron is the antiparticle of an electron
11.1.9That (electron) antineutrinos are produced during β– decay and (electron)
• state that (electron) antineutrinos are produced during β– decay and (electron) neutrinos are produced during β+ decay
11.1.10Α-particles have discrete energies but that β-particles have a continuous
• understand that α-particles have discrete energies but that β-particles have a continuous range of energies because (anti)neutrinos are emitted in β-decay
11.1.11Α- and β-decay by a radioactive decay equation of the form UT h92 238 90 234
• represent α- and β-decay by a radioactive decay equation of the form UT h92 238 90 234 2 4" + α
11.1.12The unified atomic mass unit (u) as a unit of mass
• use the unified atomic mass unit (u) as a unit of mass
11.2 Fundamental particles
11.2.1A quark is a fundamental particle and that there are six flavours (types) of
• understand that a quark is a fundamental particle and that there are six flavours (types) of quark: up, down, strange, charm, top and bottom
11.2.2The charge of each flavour of quark and understand that its respective
• recall and use the charge of each flavour of quark and understand that its respective antiquark has the opposite charge (no knowledge of any other properties of quarks is required)
11.2.3That protons and neutrons are not fundamental particles and describe protons
• recall that protons and neutrons are not fundamental particles and describe protons and neutrons in terms of their quark composition
11.2.4A hadron may be either a baryon (consisting of three quarks) or a meson
• understand that a hadron may be either a baryon (consisting of three quarks) or a meson (consisting of one quark and one antiquark)
11.2.5The changes to quark composition that take place during β– and β+ decay
• describe the changes to quark composition that take place during β– and β+ decay
11.2.6That electrons and neutrinos are fundamental particles called leptons
• recall that electrons and neutrinos are fundamental particles called leptons