Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-4-1-nuclear-instability-and-radioactive-decay [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IB Diploma](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma.md) › [Physics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics.md) › [Physics: IB Diploma Higher Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level.md) › Nuclear Instability & Radioactive Decay # Nuclear Instability & Radioactive Decay Physics: IB Diploma Higher Level, topic 5.4.1 ## Nuclear Instability Some isotopes of atoms are more stable than others. The unstable isotopes can decay radioactively. ### Stability ![Stability](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/489a58f4-8b3d-4cdc-8395-6cfca1c4eac9/neutrons%20vs%20protons.png) - Above is a graph of the number of neutrons against the number of protons in an atom - There is a pattern where some atoms are more stable. - An unstable atom will decay to a more stable atom. ### Types of decay ![Types of decay](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/3bd9d9cb-15d6-45b1-b2d4-02649daf0bf6/beta%20plus.png) - Atoms usually decay through alpha or beta radiation untill they reach a stable point. - Any chain of alpha and beta radiation is possible to reach a stable point. - Alpha radiation reduces the atom by two neutrons and two protons. - Beta radiation reduced the atom by one neutron and increases by one proton. ## Decay Equations When an atom decays it may release radiation and a new atom is created. We can write equations for this decay. ### Types of radiation ![Types of radiation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/5.2.3%20Radioactive%20decay/eq2b.png) - Alpha radiation is made up of two protons and two neutrons. - The mass number will reduce by four and the atomic number by two. - Beta radiation changes a neutron into a proton and releases an electron. - The mass number will not change but the atomic number will increase by one. - Gamma radiation is a wave and will only change the energy of the atom, not the form ### Equations of decay ![Equations of decay](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/5.2.3%20Radioactive%20decay/eq3b.png) - A decay equation shows the mass and atomic numbers for all of the atoms or radiation present. - Charge and mass must be conserved so we know that the sum of the mass number before and the sum after have to be the same. - We can work out what type of radiation is produced if we know the mass and atomic number before and after. - Remember radiation is a product, not a reactant. It should be after the arrow. ## Excited States in Nuclei Just as atoms have excited states, nuclei also have excited states. ### Atomic excited states ![Atomic excited states](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/4.1.1%20Creating%20Permanent%20Magnets/magnetic-field-min.jpg) - In an atom, an electron can gain energy and be promoted to a higher energy level. - When the electron returns to the original level, the energy is released as electromagnetic waves. ### Nuclear excited states ![Nuclear excited states](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/5.1.1.1a%20-%20Nucleus%20structure,%20protons,%20neutrons-min.png) - Nuclei also have excited states. This is because of the different arrangements of protons and neutrons within a nucleus. - When the protons and neutrons rearrange to a lower energy state, the excess energy is released as gamma radiation. ### Technetium-99m ![Technetium-99m](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/5.2.1%20Radioactivity/gamma-min.jpg) - It is possible to work out the energy of the gamma radiation released. - Technetium-99m is a valuable resource as it is used in gamma cameras in hospitals. It is produced from the beta decay of molybdenum-99. ## Test yourself on Nuclear Instability & Radioactive Decay - What happens to an atom when an alpha particle is emitted? - What happens when an atom decays through beta-minus radiation? - What type of radiation will not change the mass number or the atomic number? - Which of these statements are true about beta emission? - When a nucleus is arranged into a lower energy state what happens? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/d1080336-c86a-41e9-bd82-37d8d6e9f104/section/98ad6b1f-9901-4309-90d2-d6ece2cdcdfc/session) - Previous topic: [5.3.6 IB Multiple Choice - Quantum Physics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-3-6-ib-multiple-choice-quantum-physics.md) - Next topic: [5.4.2 Nuclear Radius](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-4-2-nuclear-radius.md) ## Physics: IB Diploma Higher Level contents ### 1 Space, Time & Motion - 1.1 Motion - [1.1.1 Motion Basics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-1-1-motion-basics.md) - [1.1.2 Graphs of Motion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-1-2-graphs-of-motion.md) - [1.1.3 Uniform Acceleration Equations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-1-3-uniform-acceleration-equations.md) - [1.1.4 Projectile Motion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-1-4-projectile-motion.md) - [1.1.5 Bouncing Ball Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-1-5-bouncing-ball-example.md) - 1.2 Forces - [1.2.1 Friction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-2-1-friction.md) - [1.2.2 Terminal Speed](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-2-2-terminal-speed.md) - [1.2.3 Newton's Laws](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-2-3-newtons-laws.md) - [1.2.4 Exam-Style Question - Forces](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-2-4-exam-style-question-forces.md) - [1.2.5 End of Topic Test - Newton's Third Law](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-2-5-end-of-topic-test-newtons-third-law.md) - 1.3 Momentum & Impulse - [1.3.1 Momentum](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-3-1-momentum.md) - [1.3.2 Momentum 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-3-2-momentum-2.md) - [1.3.3 End of Topic Test - Newton's Laws & Momentum](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-3-3-end-of-topic-test-newtons-laws-and-momentum.md) - 1.4 Work, Energy & Power - [1.4.1 Work & Energy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-4-1-work-and-energy.md) - [1.4.2 Conservation of Energy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-4-2-conservation-of-energy.md) - [1.4.3 Power & Efficiency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-4-3-power-and-efficiency.md) - [1.4.4 IB Multiple Choice- Work, Energy & Power](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/1-4-4-ib-multiple-choice-work-energy-and-power.md) ### 2 The Particulate Nature of Matter - 2.1 Thermal Concepts - [2.1.1 Molecular Kinetic Theory Model](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-1-1-molecular-kinetic-theory-model.md) - [2.1.2 Molecular Kinetic Theory Model 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-1-2-molecular-kinetic-theory-model-2.md) - [2.1.3 Thermal Energy Transfer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-1-3-thermal-energy-transfer.md) - [2.1.4 Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-1-4-thermal-energy-transfer-experiments.md) - [2.1.5 Thermal Equilibrium](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-1-5-thermal-equilibrium.md) - [2.1.6 Thermal Conductivity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-1-6-thermal-conductivity.md) - [2.1.7 Heat Energy Transfer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-1-7-heat-energy-transfer.md) - 2.2 Modelling a Gas - [2.2.1 Ideal Gases](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-2-1-ideal-gases.md) - [2.2.2 Ideal Gases 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-2-2-ideal-gases-2.md) - [2.2.3 End of Topic Test - Thermal Energy & Ideal Gases](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-2-3-end-of-topic-test-thermal-energy-and-ideal-gases.md) - [2.2.4 Exam-Style Question - Ideal Gases](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/2-2-4-exam-style-question-ideal-gases.md) ### 3 Wave Behaviour - 3.1 Oscillations - [3.1.1 Progressive Waves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-1-1-progressive-waves.md) - [3.1.2 Simple Harmonic Motion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-1-2-simple-harmonic-motion.md) - 3.2 Travelling Waves - [3.2.1 Wave Speed & Phase Difference](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-2-1-wave-speed-and-phase-difference.md) - [3.2.2 Longitudinal & Transverse Waves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-2-2-longitudinal-and-transverse-waves.md) - [3.2.3 Electromagnetic Waves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-2-3-electromagnetic-waves.md) - [3.2.4 Electromagnetic Waves 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-2-4-electromagnetic-waves-2.md) - [3.2.5 Sound Waves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-2-5-sound-waves.md) - 3.3 Wave Characteristics - [3.3.1 Polarisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-3-1-polarisation.md) - 3.4 Wave Behaviour - [3.4.1 Reflection & Absorption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-4-1-reflection-and-absorption.md) - [3.4.2 Reflection of Light](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-4-2-reflection-of-light.md) - [3.4.3 Refraction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-4-3-refraction.md) - [3.4.4 Refractive index](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-4-4-refractive-index.md) - 3.5 Standing Waves - [3.5.1 Standing Waves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-5-1-standing-waves.md) - [3.5.2 Standing Waves 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-5-2-standing-waves-2.md) - [3.5.3 End of Topic Test - Standing Waves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-5-3-end-of-topic-test-standing-waves.md) - [3.5.4 IB Multiple Choice - Waves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-5-4-ib-multiple-choice-waves.md) - 3.6 Simple Harmonic Motion - [3.6.1 Simple Harmonic Motion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-6-1-simple-harmonic-motion.md) - [3.6.2 Simple Harmonic Systems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-6-2-simple-harmonic-systems.md) - [3.6.3 Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-6-3-energy-in-simple-harmonic-motion.md) - [3.6.4 End of Topic Test - Simple Harmonic Motion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-6-4-end-of-topic-test-simple-harmonic-motion.md) - [3.6.5 End of Topic Test - Simple Harmonic Motion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-6-5-end-of-topic-test-simple-harmonic-motion.md) - 3.7 Single Slit Diffraction - [3.7.1 Diffraction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-7-1-diffraction.md) - 3.8 Interference - [3.8.1 Interference](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-8-1-interference.md) - [3.8.2 Interference 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-8-2-interference-2.md) - [3.8.3 Diffraction Gratings](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-8-3-diffraction-gratings.md) - [3.8.4 End of Topic Test - Diffraction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-8-4-end-of-topic-test-diffraction.md) - 3.9 Doppler Effect - [3.9.1 Doppler Effect](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/3-9-1-doppler-effect.md) ### 4 Fields - 4.1 Circular Motion - [4.1.1 Circular Motion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-1-1-circular-motion.md) - [4.1.2 Centripetal Force](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-1-2-centripetal-force.md) - [4.1.3 IB Multiple Choice - Circular Motion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-1-3-ib-multiple-choice-circular-motion.md) - 4.2 Newton's Law of Gravitation - [4.2.1 Newton's Law](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-2-1-newtons-law.md) - [4.2.2 Orbits of Planets & Satellites](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-2-2-orbits-of-planets-and-satellites.md) - [4.2.3 Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-2-3-escape-velocity-and-synchronous-orbits.md) - [4.2.4 End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-2-4-end-of-topic-test-gravitational-fields.md) - 4.3 Fields - [4.3.1 Fields](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-3-1-fields.md) - [4.3.2 Gravitational Field Strength](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-3-2-gravitational-field-strength.md) - [4.3.3 Gravitational Potential](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-3-3-gravitational-potential.md) - [4.3.4 Electric Field Strength](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-3-4-electric-field-strength.md) - [4.3.5 Electrostatic & Gravitational Forces](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-3-5-electrostatic-and-gravitational-forces.md) - [4.3.6 Electric Potential](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-3-6-electric-potential.md) - [4.3.7 IB Multiple Choice - Gravitational Fields](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-3-7-ib-multiple-choice-gravitational-fields.md) - 4.4 Fields at Work - [4.4.1 Radial Field Strength](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-4-1-radial-field-strength.md) - [4.4.2 Orbits of Planets & Satellites](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-4-2-orbits-of-planets-and-satellites.md) - [4.4.3 Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-4-3-escape-velocity-and-synchronous-orbits.md) - [4.4.4 End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-4-4-end-of-topic-test-gravitational-fields.md) - [4.4.5 Uniform Electric Fields](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-4-5-uniform-electric-fields.md) - [4.4.6 IB Multiple Choice - Electric Field & Potential](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-4-6-ib-multiple-choice-electric-field-and-potential.md) - 4.5 Electric Fields - [4.5.1 Electric Charge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-5-1-electric-charge.md) - [4.5.2 Conservation of Charge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-5-2-conservation-of-charge.md) - [4.5.3 Coulomb's Law](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-5-3-coulombs-law.md) - [4.5.4 Current](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-5-4-current.md) - [4.5.5 Potential Difference](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-5-5-potential-difference.md) - [4.5.6 IB Multiple Choice - Electric Charge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-5-6-ib-multiple-choice-electric-charge.md) - 4.6 Magnetic Effect of Electric Currents - [4.6.1 Magnetism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-6-1-magnetism.md) - [4.6.2 Magnetic Field](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-6-2-magnetic-field.md) - [4.6.3 Magnetic Force](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-6-3-magnetic-force.md) - [4.6.4 Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-6-4-moving-charges-in-a-magnetic-field.md) - [4.6.5 IB Multiple Choice - Magnetism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-6-5-ib-multiple-choice-magnetism.md) - 4.7 Heating Effect of Currents - [4.7.1 Circuits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-7-1-circuits.md) - [4.7.2 Resistance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-7-2-resistance.md) - [4.7.3 Power and Conservation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-7-3-power-and-conservation.md) - [4.7.4 IB Multiple Choice - DC Circuits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-7-4-ib-multiple-choice-dc-circuits.md) - 4.8 Electromagnetic Induction - [4.8.1 Electromagnetic Induction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-8-1-electromagnetic-induction.md) - [4.8.2 Electromagnetic Induction 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-8-2-electromagnetic-induction-2.md) - [4.8.3 Magnetic Flux & Flux Linkage](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-8-3-magnetic-flux-and-flux-linkage.md) - [4.8.4 End of Topic Test - Electromagnetic Induction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-8-4-end-of-topic-test-electromagnetic-induction.md) - 4.9 Power Generation & Transmission - [4.9.1 Alternating Currents](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-9-1-alternating-currents.md) - [4.9.2 Operation of a Transformer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-9-2-operation-of-a-transformer.md) - 4.10 Capacitance - [4.10.1 Capacitance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-10-1-capacitance.md) - [4.10.2 Parallel Plate Capacitor](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-10-2-parallel-plate-capacitor.md) - [4.10.3 Energy Stored by a Capacitor](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-10-3-energy-stored-by-a-capacitor.md) - [4.10.4 Capacitor Discharge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-10-4-capacitor-discharge.md) - [4.10.5 Capacitor Charge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-10-5-capacitor-charge.md) - [4.10.6 Magnetic Flux Density](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-10-6-magnetic-flux-density.md) - [4.10.7 End of Topic Test - Capacitance & Flux Density](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/4-10-7-end-of-topic-test-capacitance-and-flux-density.md) ### 5 Nuclear & Quantum Physics - 5.1 Discrete Energy & Radioactivity - [5.1.1 Atomic Spectra](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-1-1-atomic-spectra.md) - [5.1.2 Atomic Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-1-2-atomic-structure.md) - [5.1.3 Photons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-1-3-photons.md) - [5.1.4 Discrete Energy Levels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-1-4-discrete-energy-levels.md) - [5.1.5 Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-1-5-alpha-beta-and-gamma-radiation.md) - [5.1.6 Scientific Practices - Unstable Nuclei](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-1-6-scientific-practices-unstable-nuclei.md) - [5.1.7 Radioactive Decay](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-1-7-radioactive-decay.md) - [5.1.8 IB Multiple Choice - Atomic Physics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-1-8-ib-multiple-choice-atomic-physics.md) - 5.2 Nuclear Reactions - [5.2.1 Mass & Energy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-2-1-mass-and-energy.md) - [5.2.2 Nuclear Fission](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-2-2-nuclear-fission.md) - 5.3 The Interaction of Matter with Radiation - [5.3.1 Particles, Antiparticles & Photons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-3-1-particles-antiparticles-and-photons.md) - [5.3.2 Particle Interactions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-3-2-particle-interactions.md) - [5.3.3 Classification of Particles](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-3-3-classification-of-particles.md) - [5.3.4 Wave-Particle Duality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-3-4-wave-particle-duality.md) - [5.3.5 Wave Functions & Probability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-3-5-wave-functions-and-probability.md) - [5.3.6 IB Multiple Choice - Quantum Physics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-3-6-ib-multiple-choice-quantum-physics.md) - 5.4 Nuclear Physics - [5.4.1 Nuclear Instability & Radioactive Decay](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-4-1-nuclear-instability-and-radioactive-decay.md) - [5.4.2 Nuclear Radius](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-4-2-nuclear-radius.md) - [5.4.3 IB Multiple Choice - Nuclear Physics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/5-4-3-ib-multiple-choice-nuclear-physics.md) ### 6 Measurements - 6.1 Measurements & Errors - [6.1.1 Fundamental Units](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/6-1-1-fundamental-units.md) - [6.1.2 SI Prefixes, Standard Form & Converting Units](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/6-1-2-si-prefixes-standard-form-and-converting-units.md) - [6.1.3 End of Topic Test - Units & Prefixes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/6-1-3-end-of-topic-test-units-and-prefixes.md) - 6.2 Uncertainties & Errors - [6.2.1 Limitation of Physical Measurements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/6-2-1-limitation-of-physical-measurements.md) - [6.2.2 Uncertainty](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/6-2-2-uncertainty.md) - [6.2.3 Estimation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/6-2-3-estimation.md) - [6.2.4 End of Topic Test - Measurements & Errors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/6-2-4-end-of-topic-test-measurements-and-errors.md) - 6.3 Vectors & Scalars - [6.3.1 Scalars & Vectors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/6-3-1-scalars-and-vectors.md) - [6.3.2 Vector Problems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/ib-diploma/physics/physics-ib-diploma-higher-level/6-3-2-vector-problems.md)