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Concept · Modern Physics
Nuclear physics
nucleons/isotopes (same Z, different N), α/β/γ decay and penetrating power, nuclear-equation balancing (conserve mass number A and charge Z), half-life (independent of temperature/environment), fission/fusion
Switches you to Physics
Named traps
11 ways this goes wrong.
Each is a named misconception the questions are built to catch. Open one for the move that tempts, and the fix.
- Alpha most penetratingRanks α radiation as more penetrating than β or γ, reversing the penetration order.→
- Beta charge not conservedForgets the β particle's -1 charge when balancing Z, so the daughter nucleus gets the wrong atomic number.→
- Beta decay emits a protonTreats β-minus decay as ejecting a proton rather than an electron from a neutron-to-proton conversion.→
- Decay rate constant in timeTreats the number of decays per second as constant rather than decreasing with the remaining sample.→
- Fission/fusion swappedConfuses fission (splitting heavy nuclei) with fusion (joining light nuclei).→
- Gamma decay changes A or ZBelieves γ emission changes the mass or atomic number, when it only releases energy.→
- Half-life depends on amount/environmentThinks half-life changes with the quantity of sample, temperature, or chemical environment.→
- Half-life implies linear decayAssumes the substance fully decays in two half-lives, treating decay as linear rather than exponential.→
- Isotopes differ in protonsDefines isotopes as atoms with different proton numbers rather than different neutron numbers.→
- Neutron count miscountedComputes the neutron number as A, or as Z, instead of N = A - Z.→
- Nuclear equation not balancedFails to conserve mass number A and/or atomic number Z across a decay equation.→
Key formulas
No formula sheet is matched to this concept yet. Work it from first principles, and watch the traps.
Shaky underneath?
If the concept underneath still feels loose, patch it here before coming back to CSCA questions.
FoundationsPhysics 2 breadthMechanics foundations