1. Nuclear Chemistry

2. Nuclear Stability
Protons and neutrons are attracted by a short range force known as nuclear force
Occurs between proton-proton, neutron-neutron, and proton-neutron
As more protons are added to nucleus more neutrons must be added to add to the nuclear force and overcome the electrostatic force of the positive protons
Smaller elements have a proton to neutron ratio that is 1:1 but as elements get larger the ratio changes to 1:1.5
By element 83, there is too much electrostatic force to have any stable isotopes

3. Radioactive Decay
As the nucleus gets so large that it can’t hold itself together, it begins to break down
Nucleus will begin to emit particles to stabilize its forces
Three major types: alpha, beta, and gamma

4. Radioactive Decay Alpha Decay Nucleus emits 2 protons and 2 neutrons
Decreases the mass number by 4 and the atomic number by 2
Beta Decay
A neutron will become a proton and an electron then emit the electron
Shifts the ratio and increases the atomic number by 1

5. Radioactive Decay Gamma Decay
Emission of electromagnetic energy as the nucleus returns to the ground state
Usually, follows another type of decay

6. Half Life
Amount of time needed for half of the atoms of a substance to decay
C-14 (5715 years)
Pu-239 (24100 years)
Po-218 (3 mins)

7. Decay Series
Series of decay that a nuclide will produced by successive radioactive decay until a stable atom is reached
U-238 will decay into Pb-206 through the following chain
A(alpha), B (beta), B, A, A, A, A, A, B, B, A, B, B, A
Half Lives will change with the new substances