The atom
5.1.1What the syllabus asks of you
- Describe the structure of the atom in terms of a positively charged nucleus and negatively charged electrons in orbit around the nucleus
- Describe how alpha-particle scattering experiments provide evidence for: (a) a very small nucleus surrounded by mostly empty space (b) a nucleus containing most of the mass of the atom (c) a nucleus that is positively charged
Read the notes first
Chapter 5: The atom
Drill this topic
Every question on The atom, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
12 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q37Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 and 3 only
D2 and 3 only
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2Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q36Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2
B1 and 4
C2 and 3
D3 and 4
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3May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q37Show mark scheme →
Anegative / positive
Bneutral / negative
Cneutral / positive
Dpositive / negative
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4Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q37Show mark scheme →
Aproton / electron
Belectron / proton
Cproton / neutron
Dneutron / proton
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5May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q37Show mark scheme →
AThey are surrounded by mostly empty space.
BThey are very small.
CThey contain most of the mass of the atom.
DThey contain protons and neutrons.
Mark scheme
6May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q37Show mark scheme →
Aalpha particle
Belectron
Cneutron
Dproton
Mark scheme
7May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q34Show mark scheme →
Aalpha-particles
Bbeta-particles
Cgamma radiation
Dgold nuclei
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8May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Anuclear fusion
Bradioactive decay
Cthe existence of isotopes
Dthe size of the nucleus
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9May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q40Show mark scheme →
AThe nucleus is very small.
BThe nucleus has no charge.
CElectrons surround the nucleus.
DElectrons have a negative charge.
Mark scheme
10Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q39Also set in Oct / Nov 2021 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Aelectron / nucleus
Bneutron / electron
Cnucleus / proton
Dproton / neutron
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11Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q39Also set in Oct / Nov 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Anuclear fusion
Bradioactive decay
Cthe existence of isotopes
Dthe nuclear atom
Mark scheme
12Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q39Also set in Oct / Nov 2017 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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