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The protons and neutrons are packed together into the centre of the atom
(which is called the nucleus) and the electrons, which are very much
smaller, whizz around the outside
Subatomic Particles - Charge & Mass
PROtons are?
Neutrons are?
Electrons are?
Protons and neutrons are about the same mass, and are both about 2000
times heavier than electrons
Watch -
http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/media/1478205/
Answer these questions in your books
Because atoms are too small to be seen with even a powerful microscope,
scientists have to build models to understand them
Exploring Atomic Structure
In small groups (2-3), explore the resource below, making note of the
different atom models and how each structure interacts differently to
positively charged alpha particles.
Take your time and complete the online interactive activities.
http://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/viewing/L2562/L2562/index.html#
In the flame, electrons get excited and pushed to higher energy levels by
the heat energy. The outer electrons shells maintain a higher energy level.
When they fall back down, they give off photons of light of different
colours, based upon how far they fall.
Different temperatures cause electrons to jump to different levels, but
different types of atoms also have energy levels that are different
distances apart.
Thus for example, putting copper into a flame causes a green glow
because electrons on the copper atoms are falling and jumping exactly
the right distance to emit or absorb photons of the frequency we see as
green.
Ions
Ions form from elements when they gain or lose an electron, causing the
number of protons to be unequal to the number of electrons, resulting in a
net charge.
If there are more electrons than protons (from an element gaining one or
more electrons), the ion is negatively charged and called an anion.
If there are more protons than electrons (via loss of electrons), the ion is
positively charged and is called a cation.
Ionic bonds result from the interaction between a positively charged
cation and a negatively charged anion.
Radioactivity Half Life
Half-life is the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei to decay.
Half-life is the time taken for the count rate to fall to half of its original
reading.
An Explanation of Half-life.
A radioactive material will have some nuclei that are stable
and some that are unstable. The stable nuclei don't change,
that is what stable means. In the picture on the right,
the unstable nuclei (shown as brown balls) will change
into stable nuclei (shown as purple balls) and emit radioactivity.
Three types of radiation can be released from isotopes; Alpha, Beta and
Gamma
Different isotopes release different amounts of each of radiation type
Some isotopes release no radiation
A Geiger counter can measure radiation levels
Each radiation type has different properties, mainly because of its energy
High radiation is less affected by any barrier between it and a radiation
detector than low energy radiation