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Physics: HL Revision Notes

IB DP Physics: HL

Revision Notes

Home / DP / Physics: HL / IB / Revision Notes / 12. Quantum & Nuclear Physics (HL only) / 12.2 Nuclear Physics / 12.2.1 Rutherford Scattering & Nuclear Radius


12.2.1 Rutherford Scattering & Nuclear Radius


Rutherford Scattering & Nuclear Radius

  • In the Rutherford scattering experiment, alpha particles are fired at a thin gold foil
  • Initially, before interacting with the foil, the particles have kinetic energy, 

E subscript k equals 1 half m v squared

  • Some of the alpha particles are found to come straight back from the gold foil
  • This indicates that there is electrostatic repulsion between the alpha particles and the gold nucleus

WE - Rutherford scattering question image 1

Experimental set up of the Rutherford alpha scattering experiment

  • At the point of closest approach, d, the repulsive force reduces the speed of the alpha particles to zero momentarily, before any change in direction
    • At this point, the initial kinetic energy of an alpha particle, Ek, is equal to electric potential energy, Ep
  • The radius of the closest approach can be found be equating the initial kinetic energy to the electric potential energy

E subscript p equals k fraction numerator Q q over denominator d end fraction

  • Where:
    • Charge of an alpha particle, Q = 2e
    • Charge of a target nucleus, q = Ze
    • Z = proton number
    • e = charge on an electron (or proton)
  • Substituting into the equation:

E subscript p equals k fraction numerator stretchy left parenthesis 2 e stretchy right parenthesis stretchy left parenthesis Z e stretchy right parenthesis over denominator d end fraction

  • This gives an expression for the potential energy at the point of repulsion:

E subscript p equals space k fraction numerator 2 Z e squared over denominator d end fraction

  • Due to conservation of energy:
    • This expression also gives the initial kinetic energy possessed by the alpha particle

  • Rearranging and calculating for the distance, d, gives a value for the radius of the nucleus when the alpha particle is fired with high energy

d equals space k fraction numerator 2 Z e squared over denominator E subscript p end fraction

Closest Approach Method, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

The closest approach method of determining the size of a gold nucleus

Nuclear Radius

  • The radius of nuclei depends on the nucleon number, A of the atom
  • This makes sense because as more nucleons are added to a nucleus, more space is occupied by the nucleus, hence giving it a larger radius
  • The exact relationship between the radius and nucleon number can be determined from experimental data
  • By doing this, physicists were able to deduce the following relationship:

  • Where:
    • R = nuclear radius (m)
    • A = nucleon / mass number
    • R0 = constant of proportionality = 1.20 fm

Nuclear Density

  • Assuming that the nucleus is spherical, its volume is equal to:

  • Where R is the nuclear radius, which is related to mass number, A, by the equation:

  • Where R0 is a constant of proportionality

  • Combining these equations gives:

  • Therefore, the nuclear volume, V, is proportional to the mass of the nucleus, A
  • Mass (m), volume (V), and density (ρ) are related by the equation:

  • The mass, m, of a nucleus is equal to:

m = Au

  • Where:
    • A = the mass number
    • u = atomic mass unit

  • Using the equations for mass and volume, nuclear density is equal to:

  • Since the mass number A cancels out, the remaining quantities in the equation are all constant
  • Therefore, this shows the density of the nucleus is:
    • Constant
    • Independent of the radius

  • The fact that nuclear density is constant shows that nucleons are evenly separated throughout the nucleus regardless of their size

  • The accuracy of nuclear density depends on the accuracy of the constant R0, as a guide nuclear density should always be of the order 1017 kg m–3
  • Nuclear density is significantly larger than atomic density, this suggests:
    • The majority of the atom’s mass is contained in the nucleus
    • The nucleus is very small compared to the atom
    • Atoms must be predominantly empty space

Worked Example

Determine the value of nuclear density.

You may take the constant of proportionality, R0, to be 1.20 × 10–15 m.

Step 1: Derive an expression for nuclear density
    • Using the equation derived above, the density of the nucleus is:

rho equals fraction numerator 3 u over denominator 4 pi R subscript 0 cubed end fraction

Step 2: List the known quantities
  • Atomic mass unit, u = 1.661 × 10–27 kg
  • Constant of proportionality, R0 = 1.20 × 10–15 m
Step 3: Substitute the values to determine the nuclear density
rho equals fraction numerator 3 cross times left parenthesis 1.661 cross times 10 to the power of negative 27 end exponent right parenthesis over denominator 4 pi space open parentheses 1.20 cross times 10 to the power of negative 15 end exponent close parentheses cubed end fraction equals bold 2 bold. bold 3 bold cross times bold 10 to the power of bold 17 kg m−1

Exam Tip

Make sure you're comfortable with the calculations involved with the alpha particle closest approach method, as this is a common exam question.

You will be expected to remember that the charge of an α is the charge of 2 protons (2 × the charge of an electron)



  • 1. Measurement & Uncertainties
    • 1.1 Measurements in Physics
      • 1.1.1 SI Units
        • 1.1.2 Using Scientific Notation
          • 1.1.3 Estimating Physical Quantities
          • 1.2 Uncertainties & Errors
            • 1.2.1 Random & Systematic Errors
              • 1.2.2 Calculating Uncertainties
                • 1.2.3 Determining Uncertainties from Graphs
                • 1.3 Vectors & Scalars
                  • 1.3.1 Vector & Scalar Quantities
                    • 1.3.2 Combining & Resolving Vectors
                      • 1.3.3 Solving Vector Problems
                    • 2. Mechanics
                      • 2.1 Motion
                        • 2.1.1 Distance & Displacement
                          • 2.1.2 Speed & Velocity
                            • 2.1.3 Acceleration
                              • 2.1.4 Graphs Describing Motion
                                • 2.1.5 Uniform Acceleration
                                  • 2.1.6 Acceleration of Free Fall Experiment
                                    • 2.1.7 Projectile Motion
                                      • 2.1.8 Terminal Speed
                                      • 2.2 Forces
                                        • 2.2.1 Free-Body Diagrams
                                          • 2.2.2 Newton’s First Law
                                            • 2.2.3 Newton’s Second Law
                                              • 2.2.4 Newton’s Third Law
                                                • 2.2.5 Applying Newton’s Laws of Motion
                                                  • 2.2.6 Friction
                                                  • 2.3 Work, Energy & Power
                                                    • 2.3.1 Kinetic Energy
                                                      • 2.3.2 Gravitational Potential Energy
                                                        • 2.3.3 Elastic Potential Energy
                                                          • 2.3.4 Work Done
                                                            • 2.3.5 Power
                                                              • 2.3.6 Principle of Conservation of Energy
                                                                • 2.3.7 Efficiency
                                                                • 2.4 Momentum & Impulse
                                                                  • 2.4.1 Force & Momentum
                                                                    • 2.4.2 Impulse
                                                                      • 2.4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum
                                                                        • 2.4.4 Collisions & Explosions
                                                                      • 3. Thermal Physics
                                                                        • 3.1 Thermal Concepts
                                                                          • 3.1.1 Solids, Liquids & Gases
                                                                            • 3.1.2 Temperature
                                                                              • 3.1.3 Internal Energy
                                                                                • 3.1.4 Specific Heat Capacity
                                                                                  • 3.1.5 Specific Latent Heat
                                                                                    • 3.1.6 Phase Change
                                                                                      • 3.1.7 Investigating Thermal Energy
                                                                                      • 3.2 Modelling a Gas
                                                                                        • 3.2.1 Ideal Gas Laws
                                                                                          • 3.2.2 Ideal Gas Equation
                                                                                            • 3.2.3 Kinetic Model of an Ideal Gas
                                                                                              • 3.2.4 Mole Calculations
                                                                                                • 3.2.5 Investigating Gas Laws
                                                                                              • 4. Waves
                                                                                                • 4.1 Oscillations
                                                                                                  • 4.1.1 Properties of Oscillations
                                                                                                    • 4.1.2 Simple Harmonic Oscillations
                                                                                                      • 4.1.3 SHM Graphs
                                                                                                        • 4.1.4 Energy in SHM
                                                                                                        • 4.2 Travelling Waves
                                                                                                          • 4.2.1 Properties of Waves
                                                                                                            • 4.2.2 Transverse & Longitudinal Waves
                                                                                                              • 4.2.3 Electromagnetic Waves
                                                                                                                • 4.2.4 Sound Waves
                                                                                                                • 4.3 Wave Characteristics
                                                                                                                  • 4.3.1 Wavefronts
                                                                                                                    • 4.3.2 Amplitude & Intensity
                                                                                                                      • 4.3.3 Superposition
                                                                                                                        • 4.3.4 Polarisation
                                                                                                                          • 4.3.5 Malus’s Law
                                                                                                                          • 4.4 Wave Behaviour
                                                                                                                            • 4.4.1 Reflection, Refraction & Transmission
                                                                                                                              • 4.4.2 Reflection
                                                                                                                                • 4.4.3 Refraction
                                                                                                                                  • 4.4.4 Determining Refractive Index
                                                                                                                                    • 4.4.5 Single-Slit Diffraction
                                                                                                                                      • 4.4.6 Interference & Path Difference
                                                                                                                                        • 4.4.7 Double-Slit Equation
                                                                                                                                        • 4.5 Standing Waves
                                                                                                                                          • 4.5.1 The Nature of Standing Waves
                                                                                                                                            • 4.5.2 Nodes & Antinodes
                                                                                                                                              • 4.5.3 Boundary Conditions for Standing Waves
                                                                                                                                                • 4.5.4 Harmonics
                                                                                                                                              • 5. Electricity & Magnetism
                                                                                                                                                • 5.1 Electric Fields
                                                                                                                                                  • 5.1.1 Charge & Current
                                                                                                                                                    • 5.1.2 Drift Speed
                                                                                                                                                      • 5.1.3 Potential Difference & DC
                                                                                                                                                        • 5.1.4 Electric Fields
                                                                                                                                                          • 5.1.5 Coulomb’s Law
                                                                                                                                                          • 5.2 Heating Effect of Electric Currents
                                                                                                                                                            • 5.2.1 Circuits
                                                                                                                                                              • 5.2.2 Resistance & Resistors
                                                                                                                                                                • 5.2.3 Kirchhoff’s Circuit Laws
                                                                                                                                                                  • 5.2.4 I-V Characteristics
                                                                                                                                                                    • 5.2.5 Resistivity
                                                                                                                                                                      • 5.2.6 Investigating Resistivity
                                                                                                                                                                        • 5.2.7 Series & Parallel Circuits
                                                                                                                                                                          • 5.2.8 Heating Effect of Current
                                                                                                                                                                            • 5.2.9 Potential Divider Circuits
                                                                                                                                                                            • 5.3 Electric Cells
                                                                                                                                                                              • 5.3.1 Primary & Secondary Cells
                                                                                                                                                                                • 5.3.2 Investigating Electric Cells
                                                                                                                                                                                  • 5.3.3 Terminal Potential Difference
                                                                                                                                                                                    • 5.3.4 Electromotive Force & Internal Resistance
                                                                                                                                                                                    • 5.4 Magnetic Effects of Electric Currents
                                                                                                                                                                                      • 5.4.1 Magnetic Fields
                                                                                                                                                                                        • 5.4.2 Magnetic Force on a Charge
                                                                                                                                                                                          • 5.4.3 Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor
                                                                                                                                                                                            • 5.4.4 Solving Problems Involving Magnetic Forces
                                                                                                                                                                                          • 6. Circular Motion & Gravitation
                                                                                                                                                                                            • 6.1 Circular Motion
                                                                                                                                                                                              • 6.1.1 Circular Motion
                                                                                                                                                                                                • 6.1.2 Centripetal Force
                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 6.1.3 Centripetal Acceleration
                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 6.1.4 Applications of Circular Motion
                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 6.2 Newton’s Law of Gravitation
                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 6.2.1 Newton’s Law of Gravitation
                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 6.2.2 Circular Orbits
                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 6.2.3 Gravitational Field Strength
                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 7. Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics
                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 7.1 Discrete Energy & Radioactivity
                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 7.1.1 Discrete Energy Levels
                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 7.1.2 Calculating Discrete Energies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 7.1.3 Emission & Absorption Spectrum
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 7.1.4 Isotopes & Radioactive Decay
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 7.1.5 Background Radiation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 7.1.6 Alpha, Beta & Gamma Particles
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 7.1.7 Decay Equations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 7.1.8 Half-Life
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 7.1.9 Investigating Half-Life
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 7.2 Nuclear Reactions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 7.2.1 Atomic Mass Unit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 7.2.2 Mass Defect & Nuclear Binding Energy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 7.2.3 Nuclear Fission & Fusion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 7.2.4 Binding Energy per Nucleon Curve
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 7.3 The Structure of Matter
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 7.3.1 Discovery of the Nucleus
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 7.3.2 Quarks & Leptons
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 7.3.3 Hadrons, Baryons & Mesons
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 7.3.4 Particle Conservation Laws
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 7.3.5 Fundamental Forces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 7.3.6 Feynman Diagrams & Confinement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 7.3.7 The Standard Model of Particle Physics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 8. Energy Production
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 8.1 Energy Sources
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 8.1.1 Specific Energy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 8.1.2 Sankey Diagrams
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 8.1.3 Primary & Secondary Energy Sources
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 8.1.4 Energy Resources
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 8.1.5 Energy Generation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 8.1.6 Safety Issues in Nuclear Power
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 8.2 Thermal Energy Transfer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 8.2.1 Conduction, Convection & Thermal Radiation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 8.2.2 Black-Body Radiation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 8.2.3 The Solar Constant, Albedo & Emissivity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 8.2.4 The Greenhouse Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 8.2.5 Earth's Surface–Atmosphere System
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 9. Wave Phenomena (HL only)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 9.1 Simple Harmonic Motion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 9.1.1 The Defining Equation of SHM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 9.1.2 Energy Changes in SHM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 9.1.3 Calculating Energy Changes in SHM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 9.1.4 Examples of SHM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 9.2 Single-Slit Diffraction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 9.2.1 The Nature of Single-Slit Diffraction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 9.2.2 Intensity of Interference Maxima & Minima
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 9.3 Interference
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 9.3.1 Young’s Double-Slit Experiment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 9.3.2 Two-Slit Interference Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 9.3.3 Diffraction Grating Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 9.3.4 The Diffraction Grating Equation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 9.3.5 Thin Film Interference
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 9.4 Resolution
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 9.4.1 The Rayleigh Criterion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 9.4.2 Rayleigh Criterion Calculations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 9.4.3 Resolvance of Diffraction Gratings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 9.5 Doppler Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 9.5.1 The Doppler Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 9.5.2 Uses of The Doppler Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 9.5.3 The Doppler Equation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 10. Fields (HL only)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 10.1 Describing Fields
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 10.1.1 Gravitational & Electrostatic Fields
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 10.1.2 Gravitational & Electrostatic Field Lines
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 10.1.3 Gravitational & Electrostatic Potential
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 10.1.4 Equipotential Surfaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 10.2 Fields at Work
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 10.2.1 Potential & Potential Energy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 10.2.2 Potential Energy Calculations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 10.2.3 Potential Gradient & Difference
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 10.2.4 Potential in a Charged Sphere
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 10.2.5 Escape Speed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 10.2.6 Orbital Motion, Speed & Energy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 10.2.7 Forces & Inverse-Square Law Behaviour
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 10.2.8 Forces on Charges & Masses
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 11. Electromagnetic Induction (HL only)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 11.1 Electromagnetic Induction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 11.1.1 Emf, Magnetic Flux & Magnetic Flux Linkage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 11.1.2 Induced Emf
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 11.1.3 Faraday’s Law
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 11.1.4 Lenz’s Law
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 11.2 Power Generation & Transmission
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 11.2.1 AC Generators
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 11.2.2 Root-Mean-Square Current & Voltage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 11.2.3 Step-Up & Step-Down Transformers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 11.2.4 Transformer Calculations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 11.2.5 AC Electrical Power Distribution
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 11.2.6 Diode Bridges
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 11.2.7 Investigating Diode Bridges
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 11.2.8 Rectification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 11.2.9 Capacitors & Diode Bridges
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 11.3 Capacitance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 11.3.1 Capacitance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 11.3.2 Dielectric Materials
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 11.3.3 Capacitors in Series & Parallel
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 11.3.4 The Time Constant
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 11.3.5 Energy Stored in a Capacitor
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 11.3.6 Capacitor Charge & Discharge
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 11.3.7 Discharge Calculations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 12. Quantum & Nuclear Physics (HL only)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 12.1 The Interaction of Matter with Radiation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 12.1.1 Photons
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 12.1.2 The Photoelectric Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 12.1.3 Observing the Photoelectric Effect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 12.1.4 Solving Photoelectric Problems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 12.1.5 Matter Waves
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 12.1.6 Pair Production & Annihilation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 12.1.7 Quantization of Angular Momentum
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 12.1.8 The Wave Function
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 12.1.9 The Uncertainty Principle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 12.1.10 Tunnelling
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 12.2 Nuclear Physics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 12.2.1 Rutherford Scattering & Nuclear Radius
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 12.2.2 Nuclear Scattering
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 12.2.3 Deviations from Rutherford Scattering
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 12.2.4 Nuclear Energy Levels
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 12.2.5 The Neutrino
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 12.2.6 The Law of Radioactive Decay
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 12.2.7 Measuring Half-Life


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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Author: Katie

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.


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