Power of the Atom

This section of the website contains suggestions for material that could be used with the Edexcel GCSE Physics specification.

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For the latest version of the Edexcel GCSE Physics specification, please visit: Edexcel GCSE Physics

Energy from the atom and the chain reaction (Sections 12.1- 12.13)

Chain reaction
Nuclear fission (14-16)

Nuclear fission
Nuclear fission (14-16)

Decay series
Radioactive decay chains (16-19)
Decay series (14-16)

Peaceful and destructive uses of a chain reaction
Thermonuclear (16-19)
Nuclear fission reactor (14-16)

Control of a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor
Nuclear fission reactor (14-16)

Benefits and drawbacks of nuclear power as a source of energy
Nuclear fission reactor (14-16)

Environmental and social impact of a nuclear power station
Energy production (14-16)

Energy conversion in a nuclear power station
Nuclear fission reactor (14-16)
Energy from fission (14-16)

The long term effects of nuclear waste disposal
Nuclear fission reactor (14-16)
Nuclear waste (16-19)

Nuclear fusion – the need for high temperatures
Nuclear fusion (14-16)

New scientific theories such as cold fusion
(Resources and information on this section are still in the process of preparation)

Electrostatics(Sections12.14-12.17)

Common electrostatic phenomena
Static electricity (11-14)
Uses of static electricity (11-14)
Lightning (11-14)
Electrostatics in everyday life (11-14)

Forces between electric charges
Static electricity (11-14)

Charging by friction
Static electricity (11-14)

Dangers and uses of static electricity
Uses of static electricity (11-14)


14-16/Electricity and magnetism/Electrostatics/Problems/Static electricity

Teachers/Creative teaching ideas/Electrostatics