Atomic structure — AQA GCSE Combined Science Synergy

Your focus

1. The study of atomic structure provides a good opportunity to show how scientific methods and theories develop over time. The model introduced in this topic describes atoms in terms of a central nucleus with protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons in a series of energy levels (shells). The ideas in this topic can account for the existence of isotopes and underpin the study of radioactivity (Radiation and risk (page 55)), chemical bonding (Structure and bonding (page 98)) and the periodic table (The periodic table (page 87)).