Conceptual Physics

Chapter 33: The Atomic Nucleus

33.1 X-Rays and Radioactivity
33.2 Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Rays
33.3 Environmental Radiation
33.4 The Atomic Nucleus and the Strong Force
33.5 Radioactive Half-Life
33.6 Radiation Detectors
33.7 Transmutation of Elements
33.8 Radiometric Dating

How the Nucleus Is Held Together

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A discussion of how the strong nuclear force and the electric force compete with each other in the atomic nucleus. Duration: 4:01.

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Discussion of how the strong nuclear force and the electric force compete with each other in the atomic nucleus. Duration: 4:01.

VIDEO QUIZ

Neutrons Need Protons

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The role that neutrons play in holding an atomic nucleus together is discussed. Notably, there is a limit to the number of neutrons that a nucleus may contain. Duration: 4:07.

VIDEO QUIZ

The Size of the Nucleus Is Limited

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Reasons for why there is a limit to the size of the atomic nucleus are discussed. Duration: 2:46.

VIDEO QUIZ

A Friend Asked Me Once

C0503Nd

The author answers the question of why it is that radioactivity can't simply be neutralized. Duration: 2:15.

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The author answers the question of why it is that radioactivity can't simply be neutralized. Duration: 2:15.

VIDEO QUIZ

Watch these additional videos to complete this tutorial.

Table of Videos

Chapter 1: About Science
- 1.1 Scientific Measurements
- 1.2 Scientific Methods
- 1.3 Science, Art, and Religion
- 1.4 Science and Technology
- 1.5 Physics - The Basic Science
- 1.6 In Perspective
- Math Corner: Sig Figs and Precision
Chapter 2: Newton's First Law
- 2.1 Aristotle on Motion
- 2.2 Galileo's Experiments
- 2.3 Newton's First Law of Motion
- 2.4 Net Force and Vectors
- 2.5 The Equilibrium Rule
- 2.6 Support Force
- 2.7 Equilibrium of Moving Things
- 2.8 The Moving Earth
Chapter 3: Linear Motion
- 3.1 Motion is Relative
- 3.2 Speed
- 3.3 Velocity
- 3.4 Acceleration
- 3.5 Free Fall
- 3.6 Velocity Vectors
Chapter 4: Newton's Second Law
- 4.1 Force Causes Acceleration
- 4.2 Friction
- 4.3 Mass and Weight
- 4.4 Newton’s Second Law of Motion
- 4.5 When Acceleration Is g--Free Fall
- 4.6 When Acceleration Is Less Than g--Nonfree Fall
Chapter 5: Newton's Third Law
- 5.1 Forces and Interactions
- 5.2 Newton’s Third Law of Motion
- 5.3 Action and Reaction on Different Masses
- 5.4 Vectors and the Third Law
- 5.5 Summary of Newton’s Three Laws
Chapter 6: Momentum
- 6.1 Momentum
- 6.2 Impulse
- 6.3 Impulse changes Momentum
- 6.4 Bouncing
- 6.5 Conservation of Momentum
- 6.6 Collisions
- 6.7 More Complicated Collisions
Chapter 7: Energy
- 7.1 Work
- 7.2 Potential Energy
- 7.3 Kinetic Energy
- 7.4 Work-Energy Theorem
- 7.5 Conservation of Energy
- 7.6 Machines
- 7.7 Efficiency
- 7.8 Sources of Energy
Chapter 8: Rotational Motion
- 8.1 Circular Motion
- 8.2 Rotational Inertia
- 8.3 Torque
- 8.4 Center of Mass and Center of Gravity
- 8.5 Centripetal Force
- 8.6 Centrifugal Force
- 8.7 Angular Momentum
- 8.8 Conservation of Angular Momentum
Chapter 9: Gravity
- 9.1 The Universal Law of Gravity
- 9.2 The Universal Gravitational Constant, G
- 9.3 Gravity and Distance: The Inverse-Square Law
- 9.4 Weight and Weightlessness
- 9.5 Ocean Tides
- 9.6 Gravitational Fields
- 9.7 Black Holes
- 9.8 Universal Gravitation
Chapter 10: Projectile and Satellite Motion
- 10.1 Projectile Motion
- 10.2 Fast-Moving Projectiles--Satellites
- 10.3 Circular Satellite Orbits
- 10.4 Elliptical Orbits
- 10.5 Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion
- 10.6 Energy Conservation and Satellite Motion
- 10.7 Escape Speed
Chapter 11: The Atomic Nature of Matter
- 11.1 The Atomic Hypothesis
- 11.2 Characteristics of Atoms
- 11.3 Atomic Imagery
- 11.4 Atomic Structure
- 11.5 The Periodic Table of the Elements
- 11.6 Isotopes
- 11.7 Compounds and Mixtures
- 11.8 Molecules
- 11.9 Antimatter
Chapter 12: Solids
- 12.1 Crystal Structure
- 12.2 Density
- 12.3 Elasticity
- 12.4 Tension and Compression
- 12.5 Arches
- 12.6 Scaling
Chapter 13: Liquids
- 13.1 Pressure
- 13.2 Pressure in a Liquid
- 13.3 Buoyancy
- 13.4 Archimedes’ Principle
- 13.5 What Makes an Object Sink or Float?
- 13.6 Flotation
- 13.7 Pascal’s Principle
- 13.8 Surface Tension
- 13.9 Capillarity
Chapter 14: Gases
- 14.1 The Atmosphere
- 14.2 Atmospheric Pressure
- 14.3 Boyle’s Law
- 14.4 Buoyancy of Air
- 14.5 Bernoulli’s Principle
- 14.6 Plasma
Chapter 15: Temp, Heat, and Expansion
- 15.1 Temperature
- 15.2 Heat
- 15.3 Specific Heat Capacity
- 15.4 The High Specific Heat Capacity of Water
- 15.5 Thermal Expansion
Chapter 16: Heat Transfer
- 16.1 Conduction
- 16.2 Convection
- 16.3 Radiation
- 16.4 Newton’s Law of Cooling
- 16.5 The Greenhouse Effect
- 16.6 Climate Change
- 16.7 Solar Power
- 16.8 Controlling Heat Transfer
Chapter 17: Change of Phase
- 17.1 Phases of Matter
- 17.2 Evaporation
- 17.3 Condensation
- 17.4 Boiling
- 17.5 Melting and Freezing
- 17.6 Energy and Changes of Phase
Chapter 18: Thermodynamics
- 18.1 Thermodynamics
- 18.2 Absolute Zero
- 18.3 First Law of Thermodynamics
- 18.4 Adiabatic Processes
- 18.5 Meteorology and the First Law
- 18.6 Second Law of Thermodynamics
- 18.7 Energy Tends to Disperse
- 18.8 Entropy
Chapter 19: Vibrations and Waves
- 19.1 Good Vibrations
- 19.2 Wave Description
- 19.3 Wave Motion
- 19.4 Wave Speed
- 19.5 Wave Interference
- 19.6 Doppler Effect
- 19.7 Bow Waves
- 19.8 Shock Waves
Chapter 20: Sound
- 20.1 Nature of Sound
- 20.2 Sound in Air
- 20.3 Reflection of Sound
- 20.4 Refraction of Sound
- 20.5 Forced Vibrations
- 20.6 Resonance
- 20.7 Interference
- 20.8 Beats
Chapter 21: Musical Sounds
- 21.1 Noise and Music
- 21.2 Pitch
- 21.3 Sound Intensity and Loudness
- 21.4 Quality
- 21.5 Musical Instruments
- 21.6 Fourier Analysis
- 21.7 From Analog to Digital
Chapter 22: Electrostatics
- 22.1 Electricity
- 22.2 Electric Charges
- 22.3 Conservation of Charge
- 22.4 Coulomb's Law
- 22.5 Conductors and Insulators
- 22.6 Charging
- 22.7 Charge Polarization
- 22.8 Electric Field
- 22.9 Electric Potential
Chapter 23: Electric Current
- 23.1 Flow of Charge and Electric Current
- 23.2 Voltage Sources
- 23.3 Electrical Resistance
- 23.4 Ohm’s Law
- 23.5 Direct Current and Alternating Current
- 23.6 Speed and Source of Electrons in a Circuit
- 23.7 Electric Power
- 23.8 Lamps
- 23.9 Electric Circuits
Chapter 24: Magnetism
- 24.1 Magnetism
- 24.2 Magnetic Poles
- 24.3 Magnetic Fields
- 24.4 Magnetic Domains
- 24.5 Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields
- 24.6 Electromagnets
- 24.7 Magnetic Forces
- 24.8 Earth’s Magnetic Field
- 24.9 Biomagnetism
Chapter 25: Electromagnetic Induction
- 25.1 Electromagnetic Induction
- 25.2 Faraday’s Law
- 25.3 Generators and Alternating Current
- 25.4 Power Production
- 25.5 Transformers
- 25.6 Self-Induction
- 25.7 Power Transmission
- 25.8 Field Induction
Chapter 26: Properties of Light
- 26.1 Electromagnetic Waves
- 26.2 Electromagnetic Wave Velocity
- 26.3 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
- 26.4 Transparent Materials
- 26.5 Opaque Materials
- 26.6 Seeing Light - The Eye
Chapter 27: Color
- 27.1 Color in Our World
- 27.2 Selective Reflection
- 27.3 Selective Transmission
- 27.4 Mixing Colored Lights
- 27.5 Mixing Colored Pigments
- 27.6 Why the Sky Is Blue
- 27.7 Why Sunsets Are Red
- 27.8 Why Clouds Are White
- 27.9 Why Water Is Greenish Blue
Chapter 28: Reflection and Refraction
- 28.1 Reflection
- 28.2 Law of Reflection
- 28.3 Refraction
- 28.4 Cause of Refraction
- 28.5 Dispersion and Rainbows
- 28.6 Total Internal Reflection
- 28.7 Lenses
- 28.8 Lens Defects
Chapter 29: Light Waves
- 29.1 Huygens’ Principle
- 29.2 Diffraction
- 29.3 Superposition and Interference
- 29.4 Thin-Film Interference
- 29.5 Polarization
- 29.6 Holography
Chapter 30: Light Emission
- 30.1 Light Emission
- 30.2 Excitation
- 30.3 Emission Spectra
- 30.4 Incandescence
- 30.5 Absorption Spectra
- 30.6 Fluorescence
- 30.7 Phosphorescence
- 30.8 Lamps
- 30.9 Lasers
Chapter 31: Light Quanta
- 31.1 Birth of the Quantum Theory
- 31.2 Quantization and Planck’s Constant
- 31.3 Photoelectric Effect
- 31.4 Wave–Particle Duality
- 31.5 Double-Slit Experiment
- 31.6 Particles as Waves: Electron Diffraction
- 31.7 Uncertainty Principle
- 31.8 Complementarity
Chapter 32: The Atom and the Quantum
- 32.1 Discovery of the Atomic Nucleus
- 32.2 Discovery of the Electron
- 32.3 Atomic Spectra: Clues to Atomic Structure
- 32.4 Bohr Model of the Atom
- 32.5 Explanation of Quantized Energy Levels: Electron Waves
- 32.6 Quantum Mechanics
- 32.7 Correspondence Principle
Chapter 33: The Atomic Nucleus
- 33.1 X-Rays and Radioactivity
- 33.2 Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Rays
- 33.3 Environmental Radiation
- 33.4 The Atomic Nucleus and the Strong Force
- 33.5 Radioactive Half-Life
- 33.6 Radiation Detectors
- 33.7 Transmutation of Elements
- 33.8 Radiometric Dating
Chapter 34: Nuclear Fission and Fusion
- 34.1 Nuclear Fission
- 34.2 Nuclear Fission Reactors
- 34.3 The Breeder Reactor
- 34.4 Fission Power
- 34.5 Mass–Energy Equivalence
- 34.6 Nuclear Fusion
- 34.7 Controlling Fusion
Chapter 35: Special Theory of Relativity
- 35.1 Motion Is Relative
- 35.2 Postulates of the Special Theory of Relativity
- 35.3 Simultaneity
- 35.4 Spacetime and Time Dilation
- 35.5 Addition of Velocities
- 35.6 Length Contraction
- 35.7 Relativistic Momentum
- 35.8 Mass, Energy, and E = mc(2)
- 35.9 The Correspondence Principle
Chapter 36: General Theory of Relativity
- 36.1 Principle of Equivalence
- 36.2 Bending of Light by Gravity
- 36.3 Gravity and Time: Gravitational Red Shift
- 36.4 Gravity and Space: Motion of Mercury
- 36.5 Gravity, Space, and a New Geometry
- 36.6 Gravitational Waves
- 36.7 Newtonian and Einsteinian Gravitation
- Physics Review