Nuclear Chemistry Lecture Notes

Flashcards designed to help students review key concepts in nuclear chemistry, including nuclear reactions, decay types, fission, fusion, and half-life calculations.

Nuclear Chemistry

Field of chemistry focusing on radioactivity, nuclear processes, and transformations in the nuclei of the atom.

Chemical Reactions

Involve the rearrangement of atoms and molecules.

Nuclear Reactions

Involve changes in the nuclei of atoms.

Radioactive Decay

When an unstable nucleus changes or loses energy by emitting radiation.

Alpha Decay

A nucleus loses an alpha particle (Helium nucleus).

Alpha Particle (α)

A Helium nucleus (⁴₂He).

Beta Decay

A nucleus loses a beta particle (electron).

Beta Particle (β)

An electron (⁰₋₁e).

Positron Emission

A nucleus emits a positron particle.

Positron Particle (β⁺)

An electron with a positive charge (⁰₊₁e).

Electron Capture

A nucleus pulls an electron in.

Gamma Emission

Electromagnetic radiation resulting from the redistribution of charge in a nucleus.

Transmutation

When one element becomes another.

Nuclear Fission

When a large atomic nucleus breaks into smaller ones, producing energy (used in nuclear reactors/atomic bombs).

Nuclear Fusion

When small nuclei combine to form larger ones, producing greater energy (occurs in stars and thermonuclear weapons).

Half-Life

The time it takes for half of a radioactive element to decay.