← Physics syllabus

EnglandPhysics

Nuclear and particle physics

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Where does nuclear energy come from?

Mass-energy equivalence $E = mc^2$ , mass defect and binding energy, the binding energy per nucleon curve, and energy release in nuclear fission and fusion.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9PH0 nuclear energy content, covering mass-energy equivalence, mass defect and binding energy, the binding energy per nucleon curve, and the energy released in nuclear fission and fusion.
12 min answer →

What are the fundamental particles and how do we probe them?

Quarks and leptons, hadrons (baryons and mesons), particles and antiparticles, the use of accelerators to create particles, and conservation laws in particle interactions.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9PH0 particle physics content, covering quarks and leptons, hadrons (baryons and mesons), antiparticles, the use of accelerators to create particles, and conservation laws in interactions.
12 min answer →

How do unstable nuclei decay and how fast?

Alpha, beta and gamma radiation and their properties, the random nature of decay, the decay constant and activity, the exponential decay law, and half-life.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9PH0 radioactivity content, covering alpha, beta and gamma radiation, the random nature of decay, the decay constant and activity, the exponential decay law, and half-life.
11 min answer →

How do we know the atom has a tiny dense nucleus?

The alpha-particle scattering experiment, the nuclear model of the atom, the proton and neutron, nuclide notation, and estimating nuclear radius and density.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9PH0 nuclear atom content, covering the alpha-particle scattering experiment, the nuclear model, the proton and neutron, nuclide notation, and estimating nuclear radius and density.
11 min answer →