1. NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY

2. FYI: Historical Perspective
Henri Becquerel
Discovers natural radioactivity

3. FYI: Historical Perspective
Marie Sklodowska, Polish chemist marries Pierre Curie, French physicist
Marie died from leukemia caused by her exposure to radiation
Pierre was killed while crossing the street when he was hit by a vegetable wagon.

4. FYI: Historical Perspective
Earnest Rutherford
1899 – Discovers alpha, beta and gamma radiation

5. Nuclear Reactions Involve changes in the composition of nuclei
Accompanied by the release of tremendous amounts of energy

6. Nuclear Fission
The splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei

7. Nuclear Fusion
The combination of light nuclei to produce a heavier nucleus

8. Nuclides Different atomic forms of all elements
Most small nuclides have equal # of protons and neutrons
Some nuclides have “magic #’s” of protons and neutrons and are especially stable

9. The neutron-to-proton ratio determines the stability of the nucleus
For low atomic #’s:
Equal #’s of protons and neutrons
Above atomic #20:
More neutrons than protons

10. Nuclei whose neutron-to-proton ratio is unstable undergo radioactive decay by emitting 1 or more particles and/or electromagnetic rays:

11. Nuclei whose neutron-to-proton ratio is unstable undergo radioactive decay by emitting 1 or more particles and/or electromagnetic rays:
Type/
symbol
Identity
Mass (amu)
Charge
Penetration
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
Proton
Neutron
helium nucleus
4.0026 2+
low
electron 1-
low-med
high energy radiation
high
proton, H nucleus
1.0073 1+
low-med
neutron
1.0087
very high

12. Comparing penetrating ability…

13. Alpha Particle Decay
Example 1: Radium-226 transmutates by alpha decay. Write the nuclear equation that represents this process. or

14. + +
Beta Particle Decay
Example 2: Write the nuclear equation for the beta-decay of boron-12. or

15. Gamma Radiation
Example 3: Write the nuclear equation representing gamma radiation given off by the unstable radionuclide cobalt-60.