504
SELF-ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
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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.