Side A3: Nuclear & Quantum

understand that electromagnetic radiation has a particulate nature

understand that a photon is a quantum of electromagnetic energy

recall and use E = hf

use the electronvolt (eV) as a unit of energy

understand that a photon has momentum and that the momentum is given by p = E / c

understand that photoelectrons may be emitted from a metal surface when it is illuminated by electromagnetic radiation

understand and use the terms threshold frequency and threshold wavelength

explain photoelectric emission in terms of photon energy and work function energy 1

recall and use hf = Φ + 2 mvmax2

explain why the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons is independent of intensity, whereas the photoelectric current is proportional to intensity

understand that the photoelectric effect provides evidence for a particulate nature of electromagnetic radiation while phenomena such as interference and diffraction provide evidence for a wave nature

describe and interpret qualitatively the evidence provided by electron diffraction for the wave nature of particles

understand the de Broglie wavelength as the wavelength associated with a moving particle

recall and use λ = h / p

understand that there are discrete electron energy levels in isolated atoms (e.g. atomic hydrogen)

understand the appearance and formation of emission and absorption line spectra

recall and use hf = E1 – E2

understand the equivalence between energy and mass as represented by E = mc2 and recall and use this equation

represent simple nuclear reactions by nuclear equations of the form 147 N + 24 He " 178 O + 11 H

define and use the terms mass defect and binding energy

sketch the variation of binding energy per nucleon with nucleon number

explain what is meant by nuclear fusion and nuclear fission

explain the relevance of binding energy per nucleon to nuclear reactions, including nuclear fusion and nuclear fission

calculate the energy released in nuclear reactions using E = c2∆ m

understand that fluctuations in count rate provide evidence for the random nature of radioactive decay

understand that radioactive decay is both spontaneous and random

define activity and decay constant, and recall and use A = λN

define half-life

use λ = 0.693 / t 1 2

understand the exponential nature of radioactive decay, and sketch and use the relationship x = x0e –λt, where x could represent activity, number of undecayed nuclei or received count rate