The nuclear model of the atom

Learning objectives

Describe an atom as a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons, and explain how atoms form positive or negative ions by losing or gaining electrons

Describe how the scattering of alpha particles by a thin metal foil gives evidence for a very small, dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by mostly empty space (Extended)

Describe the nucleus in terms of protons and neutrons, state the relative charges of protons, neutrons and electrons, define proton number Z and nucleon number A, and calculate the number of neutrons

Use nuclide notation and explain what isotopes are, giving examples of elements with more than one isotope

Describe nuclear fission as the splitting of a large nucleus and nuclear fusion as the joining of small nuclei, both releasing energy, and complete balanced nuclide equations for them (Extended)