AQA•GCSE•Combined Science
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Atomic Structure
Atoms, isotopes, radioactive decay, nuclear radiation and nuclear energy
Practice 57 subtopics in Atomic Structure. All questions match the AQA GCSE specification.
About Atomic Structure
Atomic Structure is a key topic in the AQA GCSE Combined Sciencespecification. This topic covers atoms, isotopes, radioactive decay, nuclear radiation and nuclear energy.
Master all 57 subtopics below with unlimited AI-generated questions. Each subtopic page includes sample questions and the ability to generate unlimited practice questions with detailed solutions.
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Atomic structure (protons, neutrons, electrons)Size of atoms and nucleiAtomic radius (about 10⁻¹⁰ m)Nuclear radius (about 10⁻¹⁵ m)Relative masses and charges of subatomic particlesMass number (nucleon number)Atomic number (proton number)Calculating neutron numberIsotopes definitionIsotope notationHistory of atomic modelsDalton's solid sphere modelThomson's plum pudding modelRutherford's nuclear model (alpha scattering)Bohr's model (electron shells)How experimental evidence led to model changesRadioactive decay as a random processActivity and count rateAlpha decay (α) - helium nucleiBeta decay (β) - electrons from nucleusGamma radiation (γ) - electromagnetic wavesNeutron emissionNuclear equations for decayChanges to mass number and atomic number in decayWriting balanced nuclear equationsAlpha decay equationsBeta decay equationsConservation of mass numberConservation of atomic numberHalf-life definitionCalculating half-life from dataUsing half-life to determine remaining activityHalf-life and radioactive datingDecay curves and graphsContamination vs irradiationHazards of radioactive contaminationHazards of irradiationComparing risks of contamination and irradiationSources of background radiationNatural sources (rocks, cosmic rays, radon, food)Man-made sources (medical, nuclear industry, fallout)Factors affecting background radiationMedical tracers (diagnostic imaging)Radiotherapy (cancer treatment)Sterilisation of medical equipmentNuclear fission definitionInduced fission with neutronsChain reactionsControlling chain reactions (moderators, control rods)Nuclear reactor operationEnergy release from fissionNuclear fusion definitionFusion in starsConditions needed for fusionEnergy release from fusionWhy fusion is difficult to achieve on EarthComparing fission and fusion
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