Nuclear Symbols Element symbol Mass number (p + + n o ) Atomic number (number of p + )

RADIOACTIVITY Nuclei of unstable isotopes called radioisotopes gain stability by undergoing changes These changes are always accompanied by large amounts of energy Discovery of radioactivity dealt a blow to Dalton’s theory that atoms are indivisible

RADIATION Several types of radiation can be emitted during radioactive decay----3 main types Alpha radiation Beta radiation Gamma radiation

Types of Radioactive Decay  alpha production (  ): helium nucleus  beta production (  ): 2 4 He  1 0 e

Alpha Radiation Limited to VERY large nucleii.

Beta Radiation

Types of Radioactive Decay  gamma ray production (  ):   positron production :  electron capture: (inner-orbital electron is captured by the nucleus) 1 0 e

Types of Radiation

Deflection of Decay Particles Opposite charges_________ each other. Like charges_________ each other. attract repel

Nuclear Stability Decay will occur in such a way as to return a nucleus to the band (line) of stability.

Half-life Concept

Sample Half-Lives

Energy and Mass Nuclear changes occur with small but measurable losses of mass. The lost mass is called the mass defect, and is converted to energy according to Einstein’s equation:  E =  mc 2  m = mass defect  E = change in energy c = speed of light Because c 2 is so large, even small amounts of mass are converted to enormous amount of energy.

Nuclear Fission and Fusion Fusion: Combining two light nuclei to form a heavier, more stable nucleus. Fission: Splitting a heavy nucleus into two nuclei with smaller mass numbers.

Fission

Fission Processes A self-sustaining fission process is called a chain reaction.

Fusion