Atomic Structure and Specific Charge AQA

AQA A-level Physics 3.2.1.1 full lesson: atomic structure, isotopes, ions and specific charge. 20 editable slides, 45-mark worksheet and mark scheme.

What’s in the PowerPoint

A GCSE recall starter, with answers in the speaker notes
The nuclear model of the atom, including the size of the atom compared with the nucleus
Charge and mass of protons, neutrons and electrons, in SI and relative units
Nuclide notation, with a worked example for iron-56
Isotopes, shown with carbon-12, 13 and 14
Using isotopic data in carbon dating
Ions, and how to work out their charge in coulombs
Specific charge: definition, unit and why it matters for particles moving in fields
Worked examples for the electron, the proton, a carbon-12 nucleus and a Mg²⁺ ion
A common mistakes slide
Six check questions with answers, and an exit ticket
Teacher notes in the speaker notes throughout

What’s in the worksheet (45 marks)

Section A: recall of particle properties and key definitions
Section B: counting protons, neutrons and electrons in atoms and ions
Section C: specific charge calculations for particles, nuclei and ions
Section D: exam-style questions, such as identifying a particle from its specific charge and finding the charge of an iron ion
A full mark scheme with mark points, on separate pages

Good for
First teaching, revision lessons, homework, cover lessons or independent study. Both files are fully editable in PowerPoint and Word.