#6.2.2a(i)
the nature and effects of ionising radiations: differences in ionising and penetrating power, effects on living tissue
#6.2.2a(ii)
the stability and decay of nuclei in terms of binding energy; transformation of nucleus on emission of radiation; qualitative variation of binding energy with proton and neutron number (“Nuclear Valley”)
#6.2.2a(iii)
nuclear fission; chain reaction; nuclear fusion; nuclear power generation.
Benefits and concerns over nuclear power
#6.2.2b
Make appropriate use of:
(i) the terms: nucleon number, proton number, isotope, binding energy, atomic mass unit, absorbed and effective dose, risk
by sketching and interpreting:
(ii) plots of binding energy per nucleon of nuclei against nucleon number.
#6.2.2c(i)
activity of a sample of radioactive material (related to half-life or decay constant)
#6.2.2c(ii)
absorbed dose in gray = energy deposited per unit mass
#6.2.2c(iii)
effective dose in sievert = absorbed dose in gray × quality factor
#6.2.2c(iv)
energy changes from nuclear transformations:
\(E_{rest} = mc^2 \)
#6.2.2d(i)
studying the absorption of α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays by appropriate materials
Possible use of simulation software links to 6.2.2a(i)
#6.2.2d(ii)
determining the half-life of an isotope such as protactinium.
Possible use of simulation software links to 6.2.2c(i)