Nuclear Fusion Basics 10/25/16 Objective: I will analyze the structure of an atom as a basis for studying nuclear fusion in stars. PAGE 29

Atomic Structure atom- basic building block of matter made up of subatomic particles: proton (+), neutron (o), and electron (-)

Atomic Structure protons and neutrons clump together to form the nucleus electrons orbit the nucleus

Important to Know the number of protons in the nucleus identifies the element

Important to Know isotope: atom of an element that exists with a different number of neutrons

Important to Know If you change the number of neutrons, you create an isotope of the same element

Nuclear Fusion in Stars stars are made up of mostly hydrogen (~75% in our Sun) in the core of a star, temperatures reach 15,000,000oC this causes the hydrogen atoms to move VERY fast so fast, they collide together and fuse into a new element, helium

Nuclear Fusion in Stars this process is called nuclear fusion combining nuclei of small atoms to form bigger nuclei releases huge amounts of energy

Atomic Number = # of protons Element Symbol Atomic Mass = # of protons + neutrons *weighted average of all isotopes # of electrons = # of protons

Left Side Activity Sketch the Periodic Table panel for: Helium One other element, with an atomic number of less than 26 (Iron- Fe) Label each sketch with the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom of that element. Remember to include color and a title!