Elementary Modern Physics

Contents / notes

• Bohr's theory, Rutherford's theory and radioactivity.
• Models of the atom and their limitations.
• Elementary structure of the atom.
• Energy levels and spectra.
• Thermionic and photoelectric emissions.
• Einstein's equation and stopping potential.
• Applications of thermionic emission and photoelectric effects.
• Simple method of producing X-rays.
• Properties and applications of alpha, beta and gamma rays.
• Half-life and decay constant.
• Basic ideas of energy production by fusion and fission.
• Binding energy, mass defect and Einstein's energy equation: ΔE = Δmc².
• Wave-particle duality of matter.
• Electron diffraction.
• Uncertainty principle.

Candidate objectives

• Identify models of the atom and state their limitations.
• Describe the elementary structure of the atom.
• Differentiate between atomic energy levels and spectra.
• Compare thermionic emission and photoelectric emission.
• Apply Einstein's equation to solve photoelectric-effect problems.
• Calculate stopping potential.
• Relate applications to thermionic emission and photoelectric effects.
• Interpret the process involved in producing X-rays.
• Identify properties and applications of X-rays.
• Analyse elementary radioactivity.
• Distinguish between stable and unstable nuclei.
• Identify isotopes of an element.
• Compare the properties of alpha, beta and gamma rays.
• Relate half-life and decay constant of a radioactive element.
• Determine binding energy, mass defect and Einstein's energy equation.
• Analyse wave-particle duality.
• Solve numerical problems based on the uncertainty principle and wave-particle duality.