CHEM 1B: Nuclear Chemistry

What happens in nuclear chemistry, which differ from the typical chemistry conditions?

elements change, elements release very large amounts of energy, the reaction is in 1st order kinetics, and is independent of external factors

alpha decay/emission and when it occurs

4 and 2 α, 4 and 2 He, occurs when atomic number is too big (>83)

beta decay/emission and when it occurs

0 and -1 β, occurs when have too many neutrons

positron emission/decay and when it occurs

0 and 1 β, 0 and 1 e, occurs when have too many protons

electron capture and when it occurs

0 and -1 e, occurs when have too many protons *electron capture is on the reactant’s side

gamma ray emission

0 and 0 γ

what does mass of an atom equal?

protons + neutrons

relationship between protons and atomic number

protons = atomic number

nucleons

proton and neutron particles in a nucleus

isotopes

same # of protons, different # of neutrons

amu

atomic mass unit = 1/Nav

binding energy

ΔE = Δmc²

Δm (mass defect)

theoretical mass - actual mass

theoretical mass

# of protons (mass of protons) + # of neutrons (mass of neutron)