Atomic Structure 2

The Scattering of Alpha Particles

Ernest Rutherford discovered the nucleus by firing a beam of alpha particles at thin metal foils (only a few atoms wide).

Rutherford's experiment

Most alpha particles passed straight through the foil.
This suggested that most of the atom is made up of empty space.
However, some particles bounced back towards the source.

Rutherford's conclusions

The large deflections suggested that some positively charged mass in the atom was repelling the particles.
This led to the model of the atom with negatively charged electrons orbiting a positively charged nucleus.

The Model of the Atom

Our understanding of atoms has improved over time. The models that we have used to understand atoms have also changed.

Thomson's plum pudding model

In 1897, an English physicist called J. J. Thomson discovered electrons.
He modelled the atom as a 'plum pudding' - a ball of positive charge (dough), with negatively charged electrons (currants) mixed in with the 'dough'.

Rutherford's nuclear model

In 1909, Ernest Rutherford discovered that alpha particles could bounce back off atoms.
He concluded that an atom's mass is concentrated in the atom's centre. This was called the "nucleus" and it contained positively charged particles called protons.

The modern model

Niels Bohr discovered that electrons orbit (fly around) the nucleus at fixed distances.
In 1932, James Chadwick discovered that some particles in the nucleus have no charge at all. He called them neutrons.

Electron Arrangements

Electrons are arranged in shells around a nucleus. Each shell has a different energy level. When an atom absorbs or emits electromagnetic radiation, its electron arrangements can change.

Absorb radiation

When atoms absorb electromagnetic radiation, electrons move to a higher energy level further away from the nucleus.

Emit radiation

When atoms emit electromagnetic radiation, electrons can drop to a lower energy level, closer to the nucleus.

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

3.1States of Matter

3.1.1Atomic Structure

3.1.2Atomic Structure 2

3.1.3Density

3.1.4Density - Calculations

3.1.5Changes of State

3.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Density

3.2Heat

3.2.1Internal Energy

3.2.2Heat Capacities

3.2.3Internal Energy - Calculations

3.2.4Latent Heat

3.2.5Latent Heat - Calculations

3.2.6Latent Heat Experiments

3.3Particle Motion in Gases

3.3.1Particle Motion in Gases

3.3.2Particle Motion in Gases 2

3.3.3End of Topic Test - Particle Model of Matter

3.3.4Grade 9 - Particle Model of Matter

3.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Specific Heat Capacity

4Atoms & Radiation

4.1Atoms

4.1.1Atomic Model

4.1.2Atomic Model 2

4.1.3Atoms & Ions

4.1.4Isotopes

4.1.5Exam-Style Questions - Atomic Structure

4.2Radiation

4.2.1Radioactive Decay

4.2.2Radioactive Decay 2

4.2.3Types of Radioactive Emission

4.2.4Fission & Fusion

4.2.5Radioactive Decay Equations

4.2.6Radio. decay equations - Calculations

4.2.7Half Lives & Ionising Radiation

4.2.8Half Life - Calculations

4.2.9Uses & Dangers of Radiation

4.2.10Uses & Dangers of Radiation 2

4.2.11End of Topic Test - Atoms & Radiation

4.2.12Grade 9 - Radiation

4.2.13Exam-Style Questions - Radioactive Decay

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.1.1Basics of Motion

5.1.2Basics of Motion 2

5.1.3Basics of Motion 3

5.1.4Distance- & Speed-Time Graphs

5.1.5Average Speed - Calculations

5.1.6Acceleration - Calculations

5.1.7Uniform Acceleration - Calculations

5.1.8Grade 9 - Motion

5.1.9Exam-Style Questions - Motion

5.2Forces

5.2.1Gravity

5.2.2Gravity - Calculations

5.2.3Resultant Forces

5.2.4Newton Second Law - Calculations

5.2.5Force Diagrams

5.2.6Free Body Diagrams - Calculations

5.2.7Stretching a Spring

5.2.8Hooke's Law

5.2.9Hooke's Law - Calculations

5.2.10Elastic Potential Energy

5.2.11Elastic Potential - Calculations

5.2.12Exam-Style Questions - Elastic Potential Energy

5.3Effects of Forces

5.3.1Acceleration

5.3.2Acceleration 2

5.3.3Momentum

5.3.4Change in Momentum - Calculations

5.3.5Momentum - Calculations

5.3.6Moments

5.3.7Moments - Calculations

5.3.8Circular Motion

5.3.9Levers & Gears

5.3.10Stopping Distance

5.3.11Decelerations

5.3.12Stopping Distance - Calculations

5.4Pressure

5.4.1Pressure

5.4.2Pressure - Calculations

5.4.3Liquid Pressure - Calculations

5.4.4Pressure Changes

5.4.5End of Topic Test - Forces

5.4.6Exam-Style Questions - Pressure

6Waves

6.1Wave Basics

6.1.1Basics & Formula

6.1.2Wave Speed - Calculations

6.1.3Describing Waves

6.1.4Wave Frequency - Calculations

6.1.5Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

6.1.6Required Practical - Ripple Tank

6.2Waves at a Boundary

6.2.1Waves at a Boundary

6.2.2Waves at a Boundary 2

6.3Sound Waves

6.3.1Sound Waves

6.3.2Sound Waves 2

6.3.3Uses of Sound Waves

6.3.4Sound Waves - Calculations

6.3.5End of Topic Test - Introduction to Waves

6.3.6Exam-Style Questions - Wave Speed

6.4Electromagnetic Waves

6.4.1Properties

6.4.2Gamma, X-Ray & UV Light

6.4.3Infrared, Microwave & Radio Waves

6.4.4Properties 2

6.4.5Visible Light

6.4.6Visible Light 2

6.4.7Grade 9 - Waves

6.5Lenses

6.5.1Lenses

6.5.2Lenses - Calculations

6.5.3Images & Ray Diagrams

6.6Heat & Radiation

6.6.1Infrared Radiation

6.6.2Temperature

6.6.3Greenhouse Effect

6.6.4End of Topic Test - EM Waves, Lenses & Heat

6.6.5Exam-Style Questions - EM Radiation

7Magnetism

7.1Magnetism Basics

7.1.1Magnetic Materials

7.1.2Magnetic Fields

7.2Electromagnetism

7.2.1Electromagnetism

7.2.2Electromagnetism 2

7.2.3Motor Effect

7.2.4Magnetic Flux - Calculations

7.2.5Motors

7.2.6Induced Potential

7.2.7Induced Potential 2

7.2.8Generator Effect

7.2.9Generator Effect 2

7.3Transformers

7.3.1Transformers

7.3.2Transformers 2

7.3.3Transformers 3

7.3.4Transformers - Calculations

7.3.5Transformers 2 - Calculations

7.3.6End of Topic Test - Magnetism

7.3.7Grade 9 - Transformers

7.3.8Exam-Style Questions - Magnetic Fields

8Astrophysics

8.1Astrophysics

8.1.1The Solar System

8.1.2The Solar System - Calculations

8.1.3Orbits

8.1.4Orbits HyperLearning

8.1.5Life Cycle of a Star

8.1.6The Universe

8.1.7End of Topic Test - Astrophysics

8.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Astrophysics

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