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Nuclear Reactions
Nuclear
Reactions
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1.What is the ratio range necessary
for an atom to be stable?
2.What ratio is needed for atoms
with small atomic numbers to be
stable?
3.If an element had 65 protons,
how many neutrons would be a
good number for it to have in
order to be stable?
Nuclear Reactions
Essential Questions: How do nuclear reactions help to stabilize
an atom’s nucleus?
Nuclear Reactions
What is a nuclear reaction?
• A nuclear reaction is a
reaction that changes the
amount of particles in the
nucleus of an atom.
Nuclear Reactions
These nuclear reactions happen spontaneously.
Why?
•
These reactions happen
spontaneously as unstable
nuclei release either protons,
neutrons or both in an attempt
to become stable.
Nuclear Reactions
What happens as a result of the nucleus releasing nucleons
(protons and neutrons)?
During this process, the nuclei give
off large amounts of energy and are
able to increase their stability.
Stop and Think
1)Why would a nuclei be unstable?
2)Explain why a nuclear reaction would happen
spontaneously?
3)What are the end results of a spontaneous
nuclear reaction?
Nuclear Reactions
What is the difference between a nuclear reaction and a
chemical reaction?
• Chemical reactions involve an atom’s
electrons
• Nuclear reactions involve the atom’s
nucleus.
Nuclear reaction
Chemical reaction
Writing a Nuclear Reaction Equation
In order to write an equation for a nuclear reaction, we
must first remember some basic rules. Each of the
elements involved in the reaction is identified by the
chemical or nuclear symbol.
The number at the upper right is the
Mass number
The number in the lower right is the
Atomic number
Stop and Think
1.Give two reasons why the mass number is so important.
2.What information can be found from the atomic number?
3.How do both numbers help to determine the stability of an
atom?
Symbols Used in Nuclear Reactions

The symbol for an alpha particle =

The symbol for a beta particle is

The symbol for a positron (positive beta particle) is

The chemical symbol for a neutron =
Balancing Nuclear Reactions
• When a nuclear reaction
occurs, the total number of
atomic numbers, and the
total number of mass
numbers must be equal on
both sides of the equation
Transmutation
Notice that when the atomic number changes, the
identity of the element changes. This is called
transmutation which is a change in the identity of a
nucleus as a result of a change in the number of
protons.
Stop and Think
1.Why must the total number of mass numbers and atomic
numbers be the same on both sides of a nuclear equation?
2.How can you identify the new product created as a result of a
nuclear reaction?
Balancing Nuclear reaction Practice