Nuclear physics

About this lab: Nuclear physics

Interactive simulation for Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 topic 23 Nuclear physics: the mass defect and binding energy of 25 nuclides from deuterium to uranium with E = Δmc² and the binding energy per nucleon curve peaking at iron-56, the fission of uranium-235 and the fusion of deuterium and tritium animated with the mass lost and the energy released, and a sample of nuclei decaying at random against the N = N₀e^(−λt) curve with half-life markers, activity A = λN and a ln N plot.

Mass defect and binding energy with the curve against nucleon number, the energy released in fission and fusion, and random radioactive decay with half-life and activity

Nuclear physics is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702 (topic 23 Nuclear physics). The course is assessed in Paper 1 (multiple choice), Paper 2 (AS structured), Paper 3 (advanced practical), Paper 4 (A Level structured) and Paper 5 (planning, analysis and evaluation). There are 3 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.

Syllabus coverage

• 23.1 Mass defect and nuclear binding energy: Mass-energy equivalence: E = mc²; Writing nuclear reaction equations; Mass defect and binding energy; Binding energy per nucleon curve; Nuclear fusion and nuclear fission; Calculating energy released using E = c²Δm. Lessons: Mass defect and binding energy.
• 23.2 Radioactive decay: Random and spontaneous nature of decay; Activity and decay constant: A = λN; Half-life: λ = 0.693 ÷ t₁⁄₂; Exponential decay: x = x₀ e^(−λt). Lessons: Radioactive decay.

Full syllabus map: A Level Physics 9702 topic 23.

How to use this simulation

1. 1. Mass defect and binding energy.
2. 2. Fission and fusion.
3. 3. Radioactive decay.
4. The buttons at the end of the tab strip give the scene the whole window (Full screen, Hide controls) and, on a dark stage, a projector-friendly palette (Light scene). Many scenes also have drag handles: drag them to change the set-up directly.

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