
Updated for 2025 AQA GCSE Physics and Combined Science (8463 / 8464).
A complete, fully editable lesson covering P7.2 – The Discovery of the Nucleus from the AQA specification.
Students investigate how the alpha-scattering experiment led to the nuclear model of the atom, replacing the outdated plum pudding model.
This lesson helps students understand scientific discovery and model development while strengthening their grasp of atomic structure for Paper 1 – Atomic and Nuclear Physics.
Includes free AI long-answer feedback – students can submit extended-response questions online and receive instant, AQA-aligned WWW/EBI feedback to improve reasoning, structure, and scientific accuracy.
What’s Included
Editable PowerPoint with diagrams and step-by-step explanation of the alpha-scattering experiment
Printable and editable worksheets with model answers (Foundation → Higher)
Exam-style questions with mark scheme and model solutions
Retrieval starter and plenary quiz
AfL checkpoints and differentiated challenge tasks
Homework / revision worksheet
Comprehensive teacher answer key
Topics Covered
The plum pudding model of the atom
The alpha-scattering (gold foil) experiment
Evidence for the nuclear model and the atom’s structure
How new evidence leads to changes in scientific theory
Development towards the Bohr model
Why Teachers Choose This Lesson
Curriculum-true to AQA Physics (8463 / 8464)
No-prep, ready-to-teach resource
Exam-focused with structured reasoning and data interpretation
Differentiated for Foundation and Higher tiers
Supports AI-enhanced feedback for long-answer improvement
Suitable For
GCSE Physics and Combined Science Paper 1
Classroom teaching, revision, or cover lessons
Department resource banks and standardisation
Format
PPTX slides | DOCX / PDF worksheets | Fully editable | Print-friendly
TES Tags
AQA Physics, P7 Atomic Structure, Discovery of the Nucleus, Alpha Scattering Experiment, Rutherford Model, Plum Pudding Model, Nuclear Model, GCSE Physics, KS4 Science, AQA 9-1, Physics Lesson PowerPoint, PlanetReynolds, AI Marking
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