IB Physics: Atomic, Nuclear & Quantum Revision

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Which radiation is most ionising?

Atomic, Nuclear & Quantum is a core part of IB Physics. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

Alpha particleHelium-4 nucleus (⁴₂He²⁺): two protons and two neutrons.

Rutherford scatteringDense + nucleus revealed

Energy levelsDiscrete states for electrons

hf = E₂ - E₁Photon energy of transition

Emission spectrumDiscrete lines from de-excitation

Absorption spectrumDark lines on continuous bg

QuarkFundamental; u/d/c/s/t/b

LeptonFundamental; e, μ, τ + neutrinos

HadronMade of quarks (baryon or meson)

Baryon3 quarks (proton uud, neutron udd)

MesonQuark + antiquark (e.g. pion ud̄)

Gauge bosonForce-carrying boson: photon, W±, Z⁰, gluon. The Higgs is a scalar boson, not a gauge boson.

Alpha α⁴He nucleus, 2p + 2n

Beta β⁻n → p + e⁻ + ν̄

Learn Atomic, Nuclear & Quantum step by step

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Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Which radiation is most ionising?✗ Gamma, because it is most penetrating. ✓ Alpha — most ionising but least penetrating (stopped by paper).

Can heating a source change its half-life?✗ Yes, heating speeds up decay and shortens half-life. ✓ No — half-life is fixed and unaffected by temperature or pressure.

Practise Atomic, Nuclear & Quantum — free games

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▶ Two Truths, One Lie ▶ Reveal Race ▶ Connections Grid ▶ Falling Words ▶ Word Web

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Atomic, Nuclear & Quantum

Key concepts

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Atomic, Nuclear & Quantum — free games

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