Physics · Theme E: Nuclear and quantum physics
E.3 — Radioactive decay
Physics · SL / HL · syllabus-mapped notes
Binding energy and mass–energy
Isotopes, mass defect and binding energy, the binding-energy curve, E = mc² and the strong force.
Alpha, beta and gamma decay
The random nature of decay, the three decay types, decay equations, neutrinos, and penetration.
Activity and half-life
Activity, count rate and half-life, decay over integer half-lives, and background radiation.
The exponential decay law
The decay constant, the exponential decay law, activity, and the half-life relation.
Nuclear stability and evidence
The neutron-to-proton ratio, the binding-energy curve, and evidence for nuclear energy levels and the neutrino.