Atomic Structure Knowledge Organiser – Foundation and Higher

Developing the Model of the Atom Isotopes Beta

An isotope is an element with the same Beta radiation is a fast moving electron that
Scientist Time Contribution
number of protons but a different number can be stopped by a piece of aluminium. Beta
John Dalton Start of 19th century Atoms were first described as solid spheres. of neutrons. They have the same atomic radiation is emitted by an atom when a neutron
splits into a proton and an electron.
number, but different mass numbers.

JJ Thomson 1897 Thomson suggested the plum 0

e
Isotope Protons Electrons Neutrons
pudding model – the atom is a 1
H 1 1 0
ball of charge with electrons 1 -1
scattered within it. 2
H 1 1 1
1

3
H 1 1 2
1

Ernest Rutherford 1909 Alpha Scattering experiment –

Some isotopes are unstable and, as a result,
Rutherford discovered that
decay and give out radiation. Ionising
the mass is concentrated at radiation is radiation that can knock
the centre and the nucleus electrons off atoms. Just how ionising this
is charged. Most of the mass radiation is, depends on how readily it can
is in the nucleus. Most atoms do that.

are empty space. Alpha Gamma

Niels Bohr Around 1911 Bohr theorised that the Alpha radiation is an alpha particle emitted A gamma wave is a wave of radiation and is
from the nucleus of a radioactive nuclei. It the most penetrating – stopped by thick lead
electrons were in shells
is made from two protons and two neutrons. and concrete.
orbiting the nucleus.
They can’t travel too far in the air and are the
least penetrating – stopped by skin and paper.
However, they are highly ionising because of
their size.

James Chadwick Around 1940 Chadwick discovered neutrons in the nucleus.

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 Atomic Structure Knowledge Organiser – Foundation and Higher
Half-life Alpha Decay Equations Beta Decay Equations
The half-life is the time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in an isotope to An alpha particle is made of two protons and two A neutron turns into a proton and releases a an
halve. neutrons. The atomic number goes down by two and its electron. The mass of the nucleus does not change

Radioactivity is a random process – you will not know which nuclei will decay. mass number decreases by four. but the number of protons increases.

Radioactive decay is measured in becquerels Bq. 1 Bq is one decay per second.

Radioactive substances give out radiation from their nucleus.

A graph of half-life can be used to calculate the half-life of a material and will always Gamma rays Alpha radiation is more dangerous inside
have this shape: There is no change to the nucleus when a radioactive the body. It is highly ionising and able to
source emits gamma radiation. It is the nucleus getting cause a lot of damage. Outside the body
rid of excess energy. it is less dangerous because it cannot
penetrate the skin.

Beta radiation is less dangerous inside

the body as some of the radiation is able
to escape. Outside the body it is more
Contamination dangerous as it can penetrate the skin.
When unwanted radioactive atoms get onto
an object, it is possible for the radioactive
Gamma radiation is the least dangerous
particles to get inside the body.
inside the body as most will pass out and
it is the least ionising. Gamma is more
Protective clothing should be worn when dangerous outside the body as it can
Judging from the graph, the radioactive material has a half-life of two days. handling radioactive material. penetrate the skin.

Irradiation
Irradiation occurs when materials are near a radioactive source. The source is sometimes
placed inside a lead-lined box to avoid this.

People who work with radioactive sources will sometimes stand behind a lead barrier,
be in a different room or use a remote-controlled arm when handling radioactive
substances.

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