Nuclear Chemistry

test on thursday

Radioactive

The Nucleus gives off small pieces of itself along with some energy in order to become more stable.

What are the 2 forces acting up on the nucleus?

Electromagnetic force and Strong nuclear force

How does the Electromagnetic force affect the Nucleus?

opposites attract. tries to break up the nucleus. Makes the protons push apart from one another.

How does the Strong Nuclear force affect the Nucleus?

Parts attract one another. Holds Nucleus together tries to stay stable. 

Explain why an atom becomes radioactive

The Nucleus is unstable and will begin to shrink and become smaller and more stable making it Radioactive.

4 types of Radiation along with their symbols

1. Alpha particle- 4/2 He 

2. Beta Particle- 0/-1 e

3. Positron- 0/+1 e

4. Gamma Rays- 0/0 Y

What happens to the Nucleus when an alpha particle is working?

The atomic number goes down 2 and the Atomic mass goes down 4. there are 2 protons and 2 neutrons 

What happens to the Nucleus when an beta particle is working?

Atomic number goes up 1 and the atomic mass stays the same. The neutron has transmutated into a proton and electron. The proton stays in the Nucleus. 

What happens to the Nucleus when a positron is working?

Atomic number goes down 1 and atomic mass stays the same. Proton has transmutated into a Neutron and positron. Neutron stays in the Nucleus.

What happens to the Nucleus when an gamma rays is working?

Atomic number and atomic mass stay the same. 

Explain the signifigance of #83 Bismuth on the periodic table

#83 Bi and larger are radioactive. Smaller atoms or isotopes may be radioactive but it all depends on the isotope. 

Radioactive Half-life

the time it takes for half the atoms of a radioactive isotope to decay.

What happens in a nuclear reaction?

It can happen in two ways: Nuclear fission and Chain Reaction.

How do you calculate the Mass defect, and find the energy produced from it? 

You need to do:   mass of protons and neutrons — the actual mass= mass defect. and then in the equation E=mc2 you plug in the mass defect into where the m is in the equation. 

Nuclear fission

Where the Nucleus is split into two or more smaller Nuclei.

Chain Reaction

Neutrons are released and split more 235/92 U which releases more Neutrons that split more 235/92 U and the cycle repeats itself. 

Critical mass

The minimal amount of 235/92 U needed. Maintains Chemical Reactions.

Name the fuel (isotope) is used for a fission reaction

Uranium 235 or 235/92 U