Nuclear Chemistry
Review: Parts of the Atom Electron (-) Proton (+) Neutron
Review: Isotopes terium_tritium.jpg Atoms of an element with the same number of PROTONS and different numbers of NEUTRONS
About The Atom Nucleus includes NEUTRONS and PROTONS PROTONS give the atom its identity Held together by a very strong nuclear force o One of the four fundamental forces in our universe o Incredibly powerful o Releasing nuclear force results in a nuclear reaction
Nuclear Stability Stability of an atom depends on the ratio of protons and neutrons Too many/too few neutrons can lead to instability More than 82 protons means an unstable/radioactive nucleus Nucleus can become stable by releasing energy o More unstable nucleus = more energy released
Radioactivity The process by which an unstable nucleus becomes stable Radioisotopes: isotopes with unstable nuclei Ex: Carbon-14, Uranium 235, Thorium-230, Thorium-234 Radioactive decay- when an unstable nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation Results in a smaller, more stable nucleus
Types of Radiation Alpha Radiation Beta Radiation Gamma Radiation QQjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tesec-int.org%2FTechHaz-site%252008%2Ftechnological_hazard%2520Inter%2520Matter.htm&psig=AFQjCNHKYI- JcZWH2_vIVTNmqO4KwqXzMg&ust=
Alpha Radiation Radiation that occurs when a helium nucleus (α particle) is emitted (given off) from an unstable nucleus
Beta Radiation Fast moving electrons emitted from a radioactive source Neutron decomposes into an electron and a proton Electron is released (β particle)
Gamma Radiation High energy electromagnetic radiation given off by a radioisotope No mass (not matter like the others) Always accompanied by a beta or alpha particle decay.PNG
Type of RadiationEnergy LevelAtomic ChangesExample
Nuclear Equations Used to represent the type of radiation occurring from a nuclear reaction Alpha decay/radiation Subtract 4 from mass number Subtract 2 from atomic number Identify new element from atomic number Add alpha particle
Beta decay/radiation Mass number does not change Add 1 to atomic number Identify new element from atomic number Add beta particle Gamma decay/radiation No change in isotope Add gamma symbol
Fission And Fusion Nuclear Fission: the SPLITTING of a nucleus into smaller fragments Occurs when the nuclei of certain radioisotopes are bombarded with neutrons Can unleash enormous amounts of energy Each time a nucleus splits energy is released More atoms = bigger boom
Fission And Fusion Nuclear Fusion: occurs when two light nuclei combine to produce a nucleus of greater mass Energy released by sun is the result of fusion Requires a starting temp above 40,000,000 K