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 MCAT Prep: Help and Review
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Ch 22: Atomic Nucleus for the MCAT: Help and Review

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About This Chapter

The atomic nucleus chapter of this MCAT Help and Review course is the simplest way to master the nuclear structure of radioisotopes. This chapter uses simple and fun videos that are about five minutes long, plus lesson quizzes and a chapter exam to ensure students learn the essentials of the atomic nucleus.

Who's it for?

Anyone who needs help learning or mastering MCAT material will benefit from taking this course. You will be able to grasp the subject matter faster, retain critical knowledge longer and earn higher scores. You're in the right place if you:

  • Have fallen behind in understanding the nature of nuclear reactions or the steps used to calculate radioactive decay
  • Need an efficient way to learn about the atomic nucleus
  • Learn best with engaging auditory and visual tools
  • Struggle with learning disabilities or learning differences, including autism and ADHD
  • Experience difficulty understanding your teachers
  • Missed class time and need to catch up
  • Can't access extra MCAT review resources at school

How it works:

  • Start at the beginning, or identify the topics that you need help with.
  • Watch and learn from fun videos, reviewing as needed.
  • Refer to the video transcripts to reinforce your learning.
  • Test your understanding of each lesson with short quizzes.
  • Submit questions to one of our instructors for personalized support if you need extra help.
  • Verify you're ready by completing the Atomic Nucleus for the MCAT chapter exam.

Why it works:

  • Study Efficiently: Skip what you know, review what you don't.
  • Retain What You Learn: Engaging animations and real-life examples make topics easy to grasp.
  • Be Ready on Test Day: Use the Atomic Nucleus for the MCAT chapter exam to be prepared.
  • Get Extra Support: Ask our subject-matter experts any atomic nucleus question. They're here to help!
  • Study With Flexibility: Watch videos on any web-ready device.

Students will review:

In this chapter, you'll learn the answer to questions including:

  • What are some radiometric dating methods?
  • What is the significance of half life?
  • What are some types of radioactive decay?
  • What is the general nature of fission and fusion?
  • How can units of mass be converted into units of energy?
  • What is mass defect?
  • What is nuclear binding energy?

16 Lessons in Chapter 22: Atomic Nucleus for the MCAT: Help and Review
Chapter Practice Test
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Atomic Nucleus: Definition, Structure & Size

1. Atomic Nucleus: Definition, Structure & Size

The atomic nucleus is the central part of the atom. There is a lot to be told by the structure of the atomic nucleus. This lesson goes through the structure of the atomic nucleus and other factors that the atomic nucleus tells us.
The Electron Shell

2. The Electron Shell

You may be familiar with the role of electrons in electrical devices, but did you know that electrons also determine the chemical reactivity of everything around you?
Protons: Definition, Charge & Mass

3. Protons: Definition, Charge & Mass

Protons can be found in the nucleus of every atom. While originally it had been thought that protons were a fundamental particle, recent research has shown that protons are made of quarks. This lesson will cover the properties of the proton.
Neutrons: Definition & Concept

4. Neutrons: Definition & Concept

Neutrons are the big guys of the atom. This lesson explains the structure of the neutron, its properties, and some of its influences on the function of the atom.
Atomic Number and Mass Number

5. Atomic Number and Mass Number

Atoms are the basic building blocks of everything around you. In order to really understand how atoms combine to form molecules, it's necessary to be familiar with their structure. In this lesson, we'll dissect atoms so we can see just what really goes into those little building blocks of matter.
What is Atomic Mass? - Definition & Examples

6. What is Atomic Mass? - Definition & Examples

Atomic mass is a characteristic of an atom that is a measure of its size. It is plays a major role in the chemical properties of elements. This article discusses atomic mass and how it is calculated.
What Are Isotopes? - Definition, Types & Examples

7. What Are Isotopes? - Definition, Types & Examples

Not all atoms of an element are identical - atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons. These different versions of the same element are called isotopes. In this lesson, we will discuss the examples and types of isotopes.
Isotopes and Average Atomic Mass

8. Isotopes and Average Atomic Mass

When you drink a glass of water, you are actually drinking a combination of heavy water and light water. What's the difference? Is it harmful? This video will explain the difference between the two types of water and go into detail on the significance of the different isotopes of elements.
Principles of Radiometric Dating

9. Principles of Radiometric Dating

Radiometric dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and other materials based on the rate of radioactive decay. Learn about three common types of radioactive decay: alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay.
Radiometric Dating: Methods, Uses & the Significance of Half-Life

10. Radiometric Dating: Methods, Uses & the Significance of Half-Life

Radiometric dating is used to estimate the age of rocks and other objects based on the fixed decay rate of radioactive isotopes. Learn about half-life and how it is used in different dating methods, such as uranium-lead dating and radiocarbon dating, in this video lesson.
Half-life: Calculating Radioactive Decay and Interpreting Decay Graphs

11. Half-life: Calculating Radioactive Decay and Interpreting Decay Graphs

What causes a radioactive particle to decay? We'll never really know, but our best guess lies in probability. In this lesson, we are going to focus on the half-life, a way of measuring the probability that a particle will react.
Types of Radioactive Decay and Their Effect on the Nucleus

12. Types of Radioactive Decay and Their Effect on the Nucleus

What is meant by the term 'radioactive'? In this lesson we will break down the three main types of nuclear decay particles and discuss their composition, their effect on the nucleus, and their applications.
Fusion, Fission, Carbon Dating, Tracers & Imaging: Applications of Nuclear Chemistry

13. Fusion, Fission, Carbon Dating, Tracers & Imaging: Applications of Nuclear Chemistry

What can the sun do that we can't? How do carbon atoms 'date'? Are radioactive isotopes helpful in the medical field? The answers to these questions can be found in this lesson on the applications of nuclear chemistry.
Mass-Energy Conversion, Mass Defect and Nuclear Binding Energy

14. Mass-Energy Conversion, Mass Defect and Nuclear Binding Energy

When you hear the term 'nuclear power,' what comes to mind? Do you know where that energy and power is coming from? In this lesson, we are going to zoom in on the nucleus of a helium atom to explain how something as small as a nucleus can produce an extremely large amount of energy.
Chromatography, Distillation and Filtration: Methods of Separating Mixtures

15. Chromatography, Distillation and Filtration: Methods of Separating Mixtures

What are some ways that mixtures can be separated? Watch this video to explore several examples of ways you can separate a mixture into its individual components.
Gas Chromatography & Mass Spectrometry

16. Gas Chromatography & Mass Spectrometry

Scientists interested in identifying the individual chemicals in a mixture use an instrumental method called gas chromatography mass spectrometry or GC-MS. Continue reading to learn about the ins and outs of this fascinating chemistry technique.
Chapter Practice Exam
Chapter Practice Exam
Test your knowledge of this chapter with a 30 question practice chapter exam.
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Practice Final Exam
Test your knowledge of the entire course with a 50 question practice final exam.
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