AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Exam Practice: The structure of an atom
The structure of an atom · Atomic structure · Lesson 1 of 10 · 14 marks · 15 minutes
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Instructions
• Answer all the questions.
• Write your answers in the spaces provided.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets - use this as a guide to how much to write.
• The answers are on separate pages at the back. Attempt every question before you look at them.
• Answer all questions. Use the mark allocation as a guide to how much to write.
Question 1 DESCRIBE (3 marks)
Describe the structure of an atom.
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(Total for Question 1 = 3 marks)
Question 2 COMPLETE (3 marks)
Complete the table to show the relative charge of a proton, a neutron and an electron.
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(Total for Question 2 = 3 marks)
Question 3 CALCULATE (3 marks)
The radius of an atom is 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ m. The radius of its nucleus is less than 1/10 000 of the radius of the atom. Calculate the largest possible radius of the nucleus. Give your answer in standard form.
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(Total for Question 3 = 3 marks)
Question 4 EXPLAIN (2 marks)
An atom has no overall electrical charge. Explain why.
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(Total for Question 4 = 2 marks)
Question 5 EXPLAIN (3 marks)
An electron in an atom absorbs electromagnetic radiation. Describe what happens to the electron. Then say what happens when the electron emits radiation.
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(Total for Question 5 = 3 marks)
TOTAL FOR PAPER = 14 MARKS
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Answers and mark scheme
Check your answer only once you have written one.
Question 1 (3 marks)
A small central nucleus containing protons and neutrons, with electrons arranged at different distances (energy levels) from the nucleus.
• Small central nucleus 1 mark
• Nucleus contains protons and neutrons 1 mark
• Electrons around the nucleus 1 mark
Question 2 (3 marks)
Proton +1; neutron 0; electron −1.
• +1 1 mark
• 0 1 mark
• −1 1 mark
Question 3 (3 marks)
1 × 10⁻¹⁰ ÷ 10 000 = 1 × 10⁻¹⁴ m
• Divides by 10 000 1 mark
• Correct power 1 mark
• 1 × 10⁻¹⁴ m 1 mark
Question 4 (2 marks)
The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons, so the negative and positive charges cancel.
• Number of electrons equals number of protons 1 mark
• Charges cancel 1 mark
Question 5 (3 marks)
It moves to a higher energy level, further from the nucleus. When it emits radiation it moves to a lower energy level, closer to the nucleus.
• Absorbs radiation: moves to higher energy level or further from nucleus 1 mark
• Emits radiation: moves to lower energy level 1 mark
• Closer to the nucleus 1 mark