1. Intro to Nuclear Chemistry

2. How does a nuclear reactor work?

3. How does a small mass contained in this bomb cause……
Nuclear Bomb of 1945 known as “fat man”

4. …this huge nuclear explosion?

5. Is there radon in your basement?

6. Notation

7. Nucleons
Protons and Neutrons

8. The nucleons are bound together by the strong force.

9. Atoms of a given element with:
Isotopes
Atoms of a given element with:
same # protons
but
different # neutrons

10. H H H

11. Isotopes of Carbon

12. Radioactive Isotopes
Isotopes of certain unstable elements that spontaneously emit particles and energy from the nucleus.
Henri Beckerel 1896 accidentally observed radioactivity of uranium salts that were fogging photographic film.
His associates were Marie and Pierre Curie.

13. Marie Curie: born 1867, in Poland as Maria Sklodowska
Lived in France
1898 discovered the elements polonium and radium.

14. Marie Curie a Pioneer of Radioactivity
Winner of 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics with Henri Becquerel and her husband, Pierre Curie.
Winner of the sole 1911 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

15. 3 Main Types of Radioactive Decay
Alpha a
Beta b
Gamma g

16. Alpha Decay Emission of alpha particles a : helium nuclei
two protons and two neutrons
charge +2e 
can travel a few inches through air
can be stopped by a sheet of paper, clothing.

17. Alpha Decay
Uranium Thorium

18. Alpha Decay

19. Beta Decay
Beta particles b: electrons ejected from the nucleus when neutrons decay
( n -> p+ +b- )
Beta particles have the same charge and mass as "normal" electrons.

20. Beta Decay
Beta particles b: electrons ejected from the nucleus when neutrons decay
n -> p+ +b-
Beta particles have the same charge and mass as "normal" electrons.
Can be stopped by aluminum foil or a block of wood.

21. Beta Decay

22. Beta Decay
Thorium Protactinium

23. Gamma Decay
Gamma radiation g : electromagnetic energy that is released. 
Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves.
They have no mass.
Gamma radiation has no charge.
Most Penetrating, can be stopped by 1m thick concrete or a several cm thick sheet of lead.

24. Examples of Radioactive Decay
Alpha Decay
Po  Pb + He
Beta Decay p n e
n  p e
C  N e
Gamma Decay
Ni  Ni g
(excited nucleus)

26. Which is more penetrating? Why?