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Nuclear Chemistry. Chapter 4.4: Unstable Nuclei & Radioactive Decay Chapter 24: Nuclear Chemistry. ATOMIC REVIEW:. Atomic number = # of protons # of neutrons = mass # - atomic # protons & neutrons are in the nucleus. 12. 12. C. C. 6. ATOMIC REVIEW:.
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Nuclear Chemistry Chapter 4.4: Unstable Nuclei & Radioactive Decay Chapter 24: Nuclear Chemistry
ATOMIC REVIEW: • Atomic number = # of protons • # of neutrons = mass # - atomic # • protons & neutrons are in the nucleus
12 12 C C 6 ATOMIC REVIEW: • isotopes have different # of neutrons • there are 3 forms of isotope notation carbon-12
NEW TERMS: • Nucleon = term for all protons & neutrons • Strong nuclear force short-range force among nucleons • Increases with shorter distance • NOT the same as an electric force
Stable vs. Unstable • Stable nuclei no spontaneous changes • Unstable nuclei spontaneously changes to become a nucleus of a different element
Transmutation • Unstable nuclei are naturally “built wrong” and “fall apart” • An unstable nucleus undergoes transmutation, changing from one element into another • the nucleus changes # of protons!
Why? • Radioactivity of an atom depends on the ratio of neutrons (N) to protons (P) • How is a nucleus held together? • STRONG NUCLEAR FORCE
Why? • Think about it! . . . protons are all positively charged and want to repel each other • Neutrons act as a “nuclear glue” – they increase the strong nuclear force but don’t repel because they have no charge
Band of Stability • N/P ratio of stable nuclei (page 866) • Stable small atoms are near 1/1 ratio • Stable large atoms are near 1.5/1 ratio • Predict the stability of the following: carbon-12 hydrogen-3 • mercury-200 • uranium-238
Discovery • In the 1900’s only 3 radioactive elements were identified • Today, all elements after bismuth are radioactive • The larger they are, the more easily they “fall apart”
Radiation Types 1. Alpha () particles 2. Beta () particles 3. Gamma () rays 4. Positron emission 5. Electron Capture (EC) . . . and more Nuclear reactions have BALANCED nuclear equations!!
4 4 2 2 206 4 210 Po Pb + He 82 2 84 Particle • it is a helium nucleus • symbol: He or • low energy – doesn’t penetrate foil • decreases the # of protons • never emitted with beta
0 0 -1 -1 14 14 C N + e 0 6 7 -1 Particle • it is an electron (from the nucleus) • symbol: e or • higher energy - penetrates the skin • increases # of protons • never emitted with alpha
238 234 4 U He + Th + 2 0 92 90 2 0 Ray • high energy electromagnetic wave • no mass and no charge • higher energy – blocked only by thick lead or thick concrete • used to treat cancer • usually is emitted with alpha or beta
0 +1 0 1 -1 0 Positrons or Electron Capture • Positron emission e • decreases # of protons • Electron Capture, EC e (reactant side of equation) • decreases # of protons • Neutron captured or emitted n
Fission & Fusion • Nuclear Fission – the splitting of a nucleus into fragments • Very large release of energy • Used in nuclear power plants
Fission & Fusion • Nuclear Fusion – the combining of atomic nuclei • Very large release of energy • Occurs in the core of the sun & other stars • Requires high temperatures (5 million K) • Atomic explosions initiate fusion, but can’t be controlled • . . . and many more!