Edexcel Physics Nuclear Physics Revision Notes

• 1The nucleus is composed of protons and neutrons, held together by the strong nuclear force.
• 2Radioactive decay occurs when an unstable nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.
• 3There are three main types of radioactive decay: alpha, beta, and gamma decay.
• 4Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.
• 5Nuclear fusion is the process of combining light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, also releasing energy.

Nuclear physics studies the tiny parts of atoms called nuclei, which are made up of protons and neutrons. Sometimes these nuclei can be unstable and release energy in the form of radiation, which is called radioactive decay. There are different ways nuclei can change, like splitting apart (fission) or joining together (fusion), both of which release a lot of energy.