Download Nuclear Chemistry - Northwest ISD Moodle

Nuclear Chemistry
Review: Parts of the Atom
Proton (+)
Electron (-)
Neutron
Review: Isotopes
• Atoms of an element with the same number of
PROTONS and different numbers of NEUTRONS
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Protium_deu
terium_tritium.jpg
About The Atom
• Nucleus includes NEUTRONS and PROTONS
• PROTONS give the atom its identity
• Held together by a very strong nuclear force
o One of the four fundamental forces in our universe
o Incredibly powerful
o Releasing nuclear force results in a nuclear reaction
Nuclear Stability
• Stability of an atom depends on the ratio of protons
and neutrons
• Too many/too few neutrons can lead to instability
• More than 82 protons means an unstable/radioactive
nucleus
• Nucleus can become stable by releasing energy
o More unstable nucleus = more energy released
Radioactivity
• The process by which an unstable nucleus becomes
stable
• Radioisotopes: isotopes with unstable nuclei
• Ex: Carbon-14, Uranium 235, Thorium-230,
Thorium-234
• Radioactive decay- when an unstable nucleus loses
energy by emitting radiation
• Results in a smaller, more stable nucleus
Types of Radiation
• Alpha Radiation
• Beta Radiation
• Gamma Radiation
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiT64DklOHMAhWh3YMKHeIIDQQjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tesec-int.org%2FTechHaz-site%252008%2Ftechnological_hazard%2520Inter%2520Matter.htm&psig=AFQjCNHKYIJcZWH2_vIVTNmqO4KwqXzMg&ust=1463576163223562
Alpha Radiation
• Radiation that occurs when a helium nucleus (α particle)
is emitted (given off) from an unstable nucleus
http://www.emc2-explained.info/Emc2/Decay_htm_files/1968.jpg
Beta Radiation
• Fast moving electrons emitted from a radioactive source
• Neutron decomposes into an electron and a proton
• Electron is released (β particle)
http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/outreach/isotopes/images/beta_decay.jpg
Gamma Radiation
• High energy electromagnetic radiation given off by a
radioisotope
• No mass (not matter like the others)
• Always accompanied by a beta or alpha particle
http://images.tutorvista.com/cms/images/38/alpha-beta-gammadecay.PNG
Type of Radiation
Energy Level
Atomic Changes
Example
Nuclear Equations
• Used to represent the type of radiation occurring
from a nuclear reaction
Alpha decay/radiation
•
•
•
•
Subtract 4 from mass number
Subtract 2 from atomic number
Identify new element from atomic number
Add alpha particle
Beta decay/radiation
•
•
•
•
Mass number does not change
Add 1 to atomic number
Identify new element from atomic number
Add beta particle
Gamma decay/radiation
• No change in isotope
• Add gamma symbol
Fission And Fusion
• Nuclear Fission: the SPLITTING of a nucleus into
smaller fragments
• Occurs when the nuclei of certain radioisotopes
are bombarded with neutrons
• Can unleash enormous amounts of energy
• Each time a nucleus splits energy is released
• More atoms = bigger boom
https://youtu.be/4pQDcQxZA8E
Fission And Fusion
• Nuclear Fusion: occurs when two light nuclei
combine to produce a nucleus of greater mass
• Energy released by sun is the result of fusion
• Requires a starting temp above 40,000,000 K