Nuclear Reactions
Artificial Radioactivity In 1934 Irene and Jean Joliot-Curie transmuted aluminum to phosphorus. Alpha bombardment Unstable state of P-31 The remaining sample continued to emit positrons. P-30 is radioactive Half-life 2.5 min Artificial radioisotope
Conservation Laws Nuclear reactions follow conservation laws. Conservation of energy, linear momentum, angular momentum Conservation of charge Conservation of mass number Conservation of charge is equivalent to proton count plus electrons and positrons. Za + ZX = ZY + Zb Conservation of mass number is equivalent to a count of protons plus neutrons. Aa + AX = AY + Ab Conservation of energy uses relativistic mass energy.
Reaction Energy The conservation of energy requires a table of mass energies for individual isotopes. Not elemental mass Use atomic mass units and convert to MeV to get energy. 1 u = 931.5 MeV/c2 Add kinetic energy as needed Q value is mass difference
Exothermic A reaction with a positive Q releases energy. No additional kinetic energy for input The energy released becomes kinetic energy for the daughters. Production of carbon-14 is exothermic. Mn = 1.008665 MN14 =14.003074 Mp = 1.007825 MC14 =14.003242 The mass difference gives Q. Q = 0.627 MeV
Endothermic A reaction with a negative Q requires energy. Must come from initial kinetic energy There is a threshold kinetic energy for production. Production of carbon-14 is exothermic. Mp = 1.007825 MO18 =17.999160 Mp = 1.008665 Mn18 =18.000938 The mass difference gives Q. Q = -2.453 MeV
Medical Isotopes next Radioisotopes are important medical tools. Isotopes can be used for imaging internal organs. Scintigraphs SPECT PET Energy deposition can be used for treatment. Tumor treatment next