IGCSE 0625 / Section 5.2.2 / Extended
Supplement (Extended) content

Bent by charge, or not.

Send the three radiations through a magnetic field and they part company. One curves gently one way, another swings sharply the other way, and the third sails straight on, untouched.

The key idea

Because alpha is positive and beta is negative, they are deflected in opposite directions by electric and magnetic fields. Gamma has no charge, so it is not deflected. Beta is deflected far more than alpha because it has a much smaller mass.

Definition · learn the exact words

In electric and magnetic fields, alpha (positive) and beta (negative) are deflected in opposite directions, while gamma (no charge) is not deflected.

beta deflects much more than alpha (far smaller mass)

Gamma carries no charge, so a field cannot deflect it.

Section 01

Send them through a field.

Pass each radiation through a field and watch which way, and how much, it bends.

Stage 1 · Learn

Check deflection

Four quick checks. Each correct answer earns XP and lights this skill on your star map.

Quick check+10 XP

In a magnetic field, gamma radiation is...

Quick check+10 XP

Alpha and beta particles are deflected in...

Quick check+10 XP

Beta is deflected more than alpha because beta has...

Quick check+10 XP

Gamma is not deflected because it has...

Section 02

Charge and mass decide.

The charge sets the direction; the mass sets how much it bends.

RadiationBehaviour in a field
Alpha (positive)Deflected one way, only a little (heavy)
Beta (negative)Deflected the opposite way, a lot (very light)
Gamma (no charge)Not deflected at all
Examiner trap

Gamma is undeflected because it carries no charge. Alpha and beta deflect in opposite directions because their charges are opposite, and beta deflects far more than alpha because it is so much lighter.

Stage 2 · Exam

Exam-style questions

Unlocks once the four checks above are done. Worth more XP, written in the style of Paper 2.

Finish the four checks above to unlock the exam questions
Exam style+20 XP

Three radiations enter a magnetic field. One is undeflected. It is...

Exam style+20 XP

Alpha and beta curve in opposite directions in a magnetic field because they...

Exam style+20 XP

In the same field, beta is deflected through a larger angle than alpha mainly because beta...

Skill unlocked

Deflection, mastered.

Deflection of radiation is mapped. Keep the chain going.

-Rank -Level -Score -Topics
Go deeper · practice
Six original Cambridge-style questions
How alpha, beta and gamma behave in electric and magnetic fields, by charge and by mass. Attempt each, then reveal the worked solution.
Stage 3 · master the unit
Nuclear physics challenge
Mixed questions across the whole unit, each one worth XP. Start this only when you feel confident across every topic in the unit, not just deflection.
Start the unit challenge →