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General Science

Topic:
Atomic Physics

Presenter:
Adnan Mirza

Facilitator:
Afsheen Khalil
Agenda
o Introduction
o History
o Achievements
o Theories
o Disadvantages
o Conclusion
Introduction
Atomic physics (or
atom physics) is the field
of physics that studies
atoms as isolated
systems comprised of
electrons and an atomic
nucleus. It is primarily
concerned with the
arrangement of electrons
around the nucleus and
the processes by which
these arrangements
change.
Introduction
The term atomic physics is often
associated with nuclear power and nuclear
bombs, due to the synonymous use of
atomic and nuclear in standard English.
However, physicists distinguish between
atomic physics - which deals with the atom
as a system of electron(s) and a nucleus -
and nuclear physics - which considers
atomic nuclei alone.
Atom
o Atom is the smallest particle of an
element.
o Atoms are made up of 3 types of particles
electrons, protons and neutrons.
o These particles have different properties.

Electron Proton Neutron


Atom
Electrons are tiny, very light particles that have
a negative electrical charge (-).
Protons are much larger and heavier than
electrons and have the opposite charge, protons
have a positive charge.
Neutrons are large and heavy like protons,
however neutrons have no electrical charge.
An atom that carries an electrical charge is
called an ion.
Atom
o A major characteristic of an atom is its atomic
number, which is defined as the number of
protons. The chemical properties of an atom are
determined by its atomic number and is denoted
by the symbol Z.
o The total number of nucleons (protons and
neutrons) in an atom is the atomic mass
number. This value is denoted by the symbol A.
The number of neutrons in an atom is denoted
by N.
o Thus the mass of an atom is A = N + Z.
Isotopes

o Two atoms with different numbers of


neutrons are called isotopes.
o Atoms with the same atomic number but
with different atomic masses are called
isotopes.
o They have identical chemical properties,
yet have very different nuclear properties.
Isotopes

Hydrogen Deuterium
Atomic Mass = 1 Atomic Mass = 2
Atomic Number = 1 Atomic Number = 1
History
The earliest steps towards atomic physics
was the recognition that matter was
composed of atoms, in the modern sense
of the basic unit of a chemical element .
This theory was developed by the British
chemist and physicist John Dalton in the
18th century.
History
o The true beginning of atomic physics is marked
by the discovery of spectral lines and attempts to
describe the phenomenon, most notably by
Joseph von Fraunhofer. The study of these lines
led to the Bohr atom model and to the birth of
quantum mechanics itself. In seeking to explain
atomic spectra an entirely new mathematical
model of matter was revealed.
o Since the Second World War , both theoretical
and experimental fields have advanced at a
great pace.
Early Models of Atoms
The theory:
Thomson “jellybean”
model of the atom.
The positive charge
occupies most of the
volume of the atom.
Charged particles shot
at this atom should be
deflected slightly as
they pass through.
Early Models of Atoms
The Experiment (Rutherford):

o Most of the atom is empty space!


o All of the positive charge is concentrated in a very small
space!
Atomic Spectra

o Each element has its own characteristic


“fingerprint”.
o A heated gas emits emission lines.
o The same gas, when placed between a
bright continuous background source and
the observer produces absorption lines at
those same wavelengths.
Bohr’s Atomic Model
Figure 28.1: Planetary model of the
atom

o In 1913, Bohr applied the


quantum theory of Planck
and Einstein to the nuclear
atom of Rutherford and
formulated the well-known
planetary model of atom.
Bohr’s Atomic Model
o Bohr reasoned that Planck’s quantized electron energy
states corresponded to electrons orbiting at different
distances from the nucleus.
o He reasoned that light is emitted when electrons makes a
transitions from a larger to a smaller orbit.
o Bohr realized that the frequency of emitted radiation is
given by E = hf, where E is the difference in the atoms
energy when the electrons is in the different orbit and f is
the frequency of the emitted spectral lines and h is the
Planck's constant and its value is 6.6*10-34 joules. second
Radioactivity
o Radioactivity is the result of an atom trying
to reach a more stable nuclear
configuration. The process of radioactive
decay, can be achieved via three primary
methods.
 A nucleus can change one of its neutrons into a
proton with the simultaneous emission of an
electron (beta decay).
 By emitting a helium nucleus (alpha decay).
 By spontaneous fission (splitting) into two
fragments.
Alpha Decay
o In alpha decay, a positively
charged particle, identical to
the nucleus of helium 4, is
emitted spontaneously. This
particle, also known as an
alpha particle, consists of two
protons and two neutrons.
o It was discovered and named
by Sir Ernest Rutherford in
1899.
o Alpha decay usually occurs in
heavy nuclei such as uranium
or plutonium.
Beta Decay
o Beta decay occurs when an
atom has either too many
protons or too many neutrons
in its nucleus.
o This form of radioactive decay
was discovered by Sir Ernest
Rutherford in 1899, although
the neutrino was not observed
until the 1960s.
o Two types of beta decay can
occur.
 Positive beta decay releases a positively
charged beta particle called a positron, and a
neutrino.
 Negative beta decay releases a negatively
charged beta particle called an electron.
Spontaneous Fission
Another type of
radioactive decay is
spontaneous fission. In
this decay process, the
nucleus will split into
two nearly equal
fragments and several
free neutrons. A large
amount of energy is
also released. Most
elements do not decay
in this manner unless
their mass number is
greater than 230.
Disadvantages
o One of the main disadvantage of the study
of the atomic physics is the formation of
atom bomb or atomic weapons.
o The two main examples of them are
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
o At this time every single country want to be
a atomic power which is a sign of third
world war
Cont
o Its because of the atomic weapons that still the
coming generation of the people of Nagasaki
and Hiroshima is not fully normal
o The effect of the attack last as long as the
single particle of those deadly missiles floating
in the air of those targeted areas.
Conclusion
Atomic advancement is very much important
today it is something through which any country
can protect the citizens but on the other hand
being an atomic power and make wrong use of it
may results in the distraction of an entire state.
The value of human life is ranked lower and
lower. The examples of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
explain us that what really happen when an
atomic explosion take place.
In a nutshell, power doesn’t mean that to be
aggressive but it’s a source which makes you
familiar with more responsibilities.

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