Nuclear Chemistry

Nucleon

a proton or neutron

Nuclide

a specific nucleus

Nuclear Binding Energy

the energy released when a nuclide is formed

Magic Numbers

2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126; atoms with these numbers of protons or neutrons are more stable

N/Z ratio for small atoms

1:1

N/Z ration for large atoms

1.5:1

Decay Series

series of decay in which radioactive element is decomposed in different elements until it produces one stable atom

Half-life

the time it takes for one half of a radioactive sample to decay

Alpha Paticle

particle releaed during alpha decay; esentially the nucleus fo a helium atom; contains 2p and 2n

Beta Particle

particle released during beta decay; essentially an electron

Positron

particle released during positiron emission; essentially a positively charged electron

Gamma Ray

energy released during nuclear reaction; has no mass

Chain Reaction

a reaction that prepetuates itself; one of the reactants in the reaction is also a product of the reaction

Critical Mass

the smallest amount of fissionable material required to sustain a chain reaction

Fuel Rods

pellets of uranium arranged in long steel cylinders

Contol Rods

rods made of nonfissile material which help control the rate of fission in the reactor

Steam Geneator

uses energy from the primary loop to convert water in the secondary loop to steam

Turbine

large blades which spin when hit by pressurized steam. The roataing blades cause a shaft attached to the generator to spin.

Generator

consists of a huge mass of coiled wire spinning within a magnetic field to create an electric current

Pressure Vessel

heavily shielded structure contains fuel rods, control rods, and coolant

Containment Building

acts as protective barrier from radiation emitted from within the pressure vessel

Cooling Tower

extract the excess heat gained in th condensor loop before water is discharged into the ocean

Nuclear Fission

reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy

Nuclear Fusion

reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.

Mass Defect

the difference between the sum of the mass of the parts of a nuclide and the mass of the nuclide itself; the sum of the parts is always larger than the mass of the nuclide

Mass number

# p + # n; the top number in isotopic notation; 56 in this example

Atomic Number

# p; the bottom number in isotopic notation; 26 in this example

Alpha Decay

radioactive decay that produces an alpha particle and a new element; the new element's mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2

Beta Decay

radioactive decay that produces a beta particle and a new element; the new element's mass number stays the same and the atomic number increases by 1

Positron Emission

radioactive decay that produces a positron, 2 gamma rays, and a new element; new element's mass number stays the same and the atomic number decreases by 1

Electron Capture

radioactive decay that has an electron as a reactant and produces 1 gamma ray and a new element; new element's mass number stays the same and the atomic number decreases by 1

radioactive decay

spontaneous change from an unstable nuclei to a more stable one, releasing particles, electromagnetic waves or both.