Ionising Radiation
Quantum and Nuclear

Alpha particles scattering analogue: plastic hill and ramp

Teaching Guidance for 14-16 PRACTICAL PHYISCS

The plastic hill and ramp can be used as an analogue for alpha particles (ball bearings) being scattered by the electric field around a nucleus. The hill is a 1/r shape (the same as the electrical potential around a nucleus due to its electric charge). This piece of apparatus is available from Philip Harris.

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Ionising Radiation
Quantum and Nuclear PRACTICAL PHYISCS

Infra-red transmitter

How to make an infrared transmitter.

Teaching Guidance 14-16

Ionising Radiation
Quantum and Nuclear PRACTICAL PHYISCS

Managing radioactive materials in schools

Countries have national laws to control how radioactive materials are acquired, used and disposed of. These laws follow...

Teaching Guidance 14-16

Ionising Radiation
Quantum and Nuclear Supporting Physics Teaching

Photons and particles

Both photons and particles can shift enough energy to atoms or molecules to ionise these targets. Although the mechanisms are...

Physics Narrative 14-16

Misconceptions
RESEARCH REVIEW Quantum and Nuclear

Some students think that (ionising) radiation only stems from nuclear power plants

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RESEARCH REVIEW Quantum and Nuclear

Many students are confused by the nature of radiation in general and some think it is artificial

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RESEARCH REVIEW Quantum and Nuclear

Many students are unable to distinguish between non-ionising and ionising radiation and many do not think of light as ‘radiation’

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Ionising Radiation
can exhibit Alpha Decay Beta Decay Gamma Decay
is used in analyses relating to Radioactive dating
involves Ionisation Unstable Nucleus Nuclide
can be analysed using the quantity Half-Life Decay Constant Activity
features in Medical Physics
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