1. Nuclear Chemistry
Bravo – 15,000 kilotons

2. TX Standards
Students can describe the characteristics of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.
Students can describe radioactive decay process in terms of balanced nuclear equations.
Students can compare fission and fusion reactions.

3. Nuclear Symbols Element Mass number symbol (p+ + no) Atomic number
(number of p+)

4. Nuclear Binding Energy
protons and neutrons in the nucleus are held together by nuclear forces that overcome the electromagnetic repulsion between the protons.

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

6. Alpha Radiation
Alpha decay is limited to VERY large, nuclei such as those in heavy metals.

7. Beta Radiation
Beta decay converts a neutron into a proton.

8. Types of Radioactive Decay
Alpha (a, He): helium nucleus
Beta (b, e):
Gamma ray (g):

9. Alpha Particle Emission Beta Particle Emission
Gamma Ray Emission
Symbol or
Mass
Heavy
Light
No Mass
How it changes the nucleus
Decreases the mass number by 4
Decreases the atomic number by 2
Converts a neutron into a proton
Increases atomic number by 1
No change to the nucleus
Penetration
Low
Medium
High
Protection provided by…
Skin
Paper, clothing
Lead
Danger

10. Fission
Fission - Splitting a heavy nucleus into two nuclei with smaller mass numbers.

11. Deuterium – Tritium Fusion Reaction
Fusion - Combining two light nuclei to form a heavier, more stable nucleus.

12. 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:
DE = Dmc2
Dm = mass defect
DE = change in energy
c = speed of light
Because c2 is so large, even small amounts of mass are converted to enormous amount of energy.

14. A Fission Reactor