GCSE Physics (OCR A)

Topic Summaries

Atoms

Structure of the atom

  • Materials are made up of atoms, which have a radius of around \(1\times10^{10}\) m.
  • Each atom contains a nucleus, consisting of positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons.
    • The nucleus is around 1/10,000 the size of the atom.
    • Almost all the atom’s mass is contained in the nucleus.
  • The nucleus is surrounded by negatively charged electrons.
    • These electrons move in set energy levels at different distances from the nucleus.
    • An electron will move further from the nucleus and increase its energy level by absorbing electromagnetic radiation.
    • It will move towards the nucleus and decrease its energy level by emitting electromagnetic radiation.

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