504

SELF-ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST

I am able to ... | Section | NotÂ yet | Nearly there | Ready to move on
calculate the mass defect and binding energy of a nucleus | 23.1 |  |  |
describe the main features of the binding energy curve | 23.1 |  |  |
calculate the energy released in a nuclear reaction | 23.1 |  |  |
appreciate the three different types of radioactive decay | 23.2 |  |  |
describe the properties of alpha, beta and gamma ray particles | 23.2 |  |  |
understand the meaning of the terms activity and half-life | 23.2 |  |  |
apply the radioactive decay law for an integral number of half-lives | 23.2 |  |  |
describe nuclear fission | 23.3 |  |  |
calculate the energy released in nuclear fission | 23.3 |  |  |
describe the role of the main features of a nuclear reactor | 23.3 |  |  |
calculate distances of closest approach | 23.4 |  |  |
calculate nuclear radii and densities | 23.4 |  |  |
understand deviations from Rutherford scattering | 23.4 |  |  |
apply the radioactive decay law | 23.4 |  |  |
appreciate the necessity of the neutrino | 23.4 |  |  |
describe the role of neutrons in nuclear stability | 23.4 |  |  |
explain why the binding energy per nucleon is almost constant for larger nuclei | 23.4 |  |  |
give evidence for the existence of nuclear energy levels | 23.4 |  |  |

505

REFLECTION

Do you understand nuclear notation? Do you understand why a strong nuclear force must be acting between nucleons? Can you explain why the mass of nucleons is greater than the mass of the nucleus? Do you appreciate the significance of binding energy per nucleon? Can you describe the main features of the graph of binding energy per nucleon versus nucleon number? Can you calculate the energy released in a nuclear reaction? Do you understand the term radioactivity? Can you state the properties of alpha, beta and gamma particles? Do you understand what is meant by half-life and activity? Can you solve problems with half-life and activity?

Can you describe how nuclear radii are determined? Can you explain why deviations from Rutherford scattering are observed? Can you explain why the binding energy per nucleon is approximately constant for large nuclei? Can you explain why large stable nuclei have more neutrons than protons? Can you provide the evidence for nuclear energy levels? Can you explain why the neutrino was hypothesized to exist? Can you solve problems with half-life and activity?

Exam-style Questions

You can find questions in the style of IB exams in the digital coursebook.