Physics

• Electron Energy Levels


  The different energy levels that electrons can occupy around the nucleus of an atom
• Electrons Can be Excited to Higher Energy Levels

  1. Absorb energy

  2. Move to higher energy level

  3. Emit energy

  4. Return to ground state
• As you move farther from the nucleus, the energy levels get closer together
• The energy of the emitted radiation depends on the difference between the energy levels
• Changes within the nucleus itself can lead to the production of high energy, high frequency gamma rays
• Ionisation


  When an atom loses an electron, becoming a positive ion
• Atom Ionisation


  1. Electron absorbs radiation

  2. Electron moves far enough to leave the atom

  3. Atom becomes a positive ion
• The more electrons an atom loses, the greater its positive charge
• Nuclear Radiation


  Radiation that can knock electrons from atoms, ionising them
• The ability of different types of nuclear radiation to ionise atoms varies
• Ionising radiation can be used to remove creases from clothes
• An electron absorbs EM radiation, moves up an energy level, then falls back and emits the same amount of energy it absorbed
• Types of Nuclear Radiation

  • Alpha
  • Beta
  • Gamma