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...

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...

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...

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:...

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...

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students look at the different features of the core of a nuclear reactor. They consider the critical mass, chain reactions and explain the core's operation using knowledge of nuclear physics.

The activities in this learning episode examine:
*...

This topic, from the Institute of Physics, encourage students to apply their understanding of diffraction to X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of the structure of matter. It could extend a study of diffraction of waves, or be part of a study of material structures, or of atomic physics.

There are two...

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, uses laser light to demonstrate the phenomenon of diffraction and then applies this understanding to x-rays, Bragg's law and crystallography.

The activities in this episode look at:
• students’ knowledge of X-rays
• diffraction and the limits...

Through discussion and a worked example, these activities from the Institute of Physics, help students to look at neutron diffraction. Students calculate the de Broglie wavelength of a neutron and see the sources and uses of neutrons.

In a worked example, using the de Broglie equation, students consider the...

This topic, from the Institute of Physics, help students to gain an understanding of the different sub-atomic particles. They also develop ideas around antiparticles, interactions and the development of the standard model.

There are four learning episodes in this topic:

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Protons, neutrons and electrons are familiar particles of matter. However, students are also likely to have heard of other particles. This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, introduces some of the other sub-atomic particles.

The activities in this episode include:
* establishing students...

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, introduces the lepton family and also to brings in the idea of anti-particles, which annihilate when they meet particles.

The activities include:
* discussions about positrons, neutrinos and muons
* making PET scans
* examining particle...

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students consider both hadrons and leptons in particle reactions. They must take account of both conservation of lepton number and conservation of baryon number.

The activities include:
* applying conservation rules
* considering the...

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode considers exchange particles and different types of interactions. Feynman diagrams are used, although these may not be required by all specifications.

The activities in this learning episode examine:
* exchange particles
* interactions...

From the Institute of Physics, this topic gives clear evidence for the size of the nucleus and for the fact that nucleons are not fundamental particles but contain different parts. This leads onto Gell-Mann and Zweig’s quark model.

The learning episodes in this topic are:

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