Stable and Unstable Nuclei A-level AQA

Complete AQA A-level Physics lesson on stable and unstable nuclei (3.2.1.2). 19 editable slides, a 38-mark worksheet and a full mark scheme.

What’s in the PowerPoint

A starter that recaps atomic structure, with answers in the speaker notes
Why the nucleus should fly apart: worked figures show the electrostatic repulsion between two protons (230 N) against their gravitational attraction (10⁻³⁴ N)
Properties of the strong nuclear force, including its range and where it turns repulsive
A graph of force against nucleon separation, with the 0.5 fm and 3 fm points explained
Why some nuclei decay: too big, too many neutrons, or too much energy
Alpha and beta-minus decay, each with a general equation and a worked example
How to balance nuclear equations, with a worked example
The neutrino hypothesis: how the beta energy spectrum led Pauli to suggest a new particle
Gamma emission
A worked example on counting the alpha and beta decays in a decay chain
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 (38 marks)

Section A: recall questions on the strong nuclear force and decay
Section B: sketching the strong force graph on blank axes
Section C: completing and writing nuclear equations
Section D: exam-style questions on electrostatic force, decay chains, isotopes and the neutrino
A full mark scheme with mark points, on separate pages