Radioactivity and energy

radioactive

something decaying by a nuclear process, ability of an unstable nucleus to undergo radioactive decay(nuclear fission)

Nucleons

particles in the nucleus ( protons and nuetrons)

radiation

something being emmited during decay of an unstable nucleus. a,b,y ( alpha,beta,gamma)

molecules

collections of atoms bound together in certain specific combinations by chemical bonds. to break a molecule into individual atoms; energy must be added.when atoms join to make a molecule, energy is released

nuclear energy

net energy released in a nucleur reaction. large nucleus into small nucleus plus energy.

benefits of nucleur energy

1. efficient source of energy compared to fossil fules

2. no C02 emissions

3. reliable and not dependent on wind or sun

4. low operating costs initially

5. large uranium reserves ( non renewable resource tho)

radon

single most/largest source is radon gas that can be trapped in our homes and is formed by decay of uranium in soil and rock

nucleur fusion

a natrully occuring nucleur reaction,energy emmitted from sun and results in nucleur fusion reaction; hydrogen nuclei fuse together to create a helium nuclei. energy is liberated.

dangers of radiation

ionizes atoms: knocks out electrons to create charged atoms called ions. breaks up molecule can damage living cells. cancer, uncontrolled cell growth of mutated or damaged cells. the higher the msv the more fatal.

ionizing radiation

ability to fragment damage molecules which it encounters and results in formATION of charged called ions. ultraviolet from sun,radioactive elements:gamma rays and can damage cells and tissue, X rays.

mass defect

when total mass is not same as the mass of constituent particles. mass of nucleus is less than mass

atoms

atoms are joined and make molecules. hydrogen,oxegyn ATOM. smallest functional unit of matter that retains all of the chemical properties of an element

bonds

mutual sharing of electrons by atoms.

solar wind

steady stream of particles blowing away from sun

types of radiation

aplha,beta,gamma

alpha radiation

heavy,short range particles with stream of high energy. weakly penetrating but very dangerous. when emmitted atomic mass will decrease by 4 and atomic number will decrease by 2

beta radiation

a light short range particles stream of high energy b particles an electron generated ffrom nucleus. moderatly penetrating-human skin and germ layer but not clothes. one of nuetrons changes to protron and to preserve charge throws an electron. atomic mass stays same but number goes up by one

gamma radiation

high energy electromagnetic, not stream of particles but wave of electrons and magnetic feilds, highly pernetrating and travels far. dense materials like steel needed for sheilding. no change in nucleon in parent nucleus

Acute radiation sickness (ARS)

caused by high doses due to to cell death. symptoms like hair loss,nausea,weakness. treatments are blood transfusion,antibiotics and bone marrow transplant

half-life

amount of time required fro half od nuclei in radioactive material to decay/break down into other atoms. shorter half life = more unstable

radiometric dating

number of radioactive atoms in a sample goes down over time and is proportional to half life of an element

electromagnetic radiation

travels as waves, higher the frequency the more energetic the wave and more damaging it is

non-ionizing radiation

hz is too low to damage cell or tissue: TC ,Cellphone,microwaves

exponential decay and growth formula

Q=Q0(1/2)^n. n= t/T

formula rep of half life

T

formula rep of amount of time elapsed

t

Q

amount present at t

Q0

amount at time 0

radioactive decay

process by which an unstable nucleus breaks up into smaller fragments and includes ejection of energetic radiation.

hydrocarbon

fossil fuels composed of carbon and h atoms that are reactants in combustion reactions

nucleur fission

nucleus of an atoms is held together by balance by z forces acting in opposition. attractive nucleu corce and repuslive force. large usnatble nucleus breaks into smaller nuclei produces daughter nuclei,radiation,energy in form of heat

Turbine

spins connected to a generator that produces power or energy. steam causes turbine to spin from heating water in a power plant.

fossil fuels

use combustion to produce heat chemical reaction by forming new nonds to new molecules

nucleur fuels

by fission reacions to radiocatinge decay of unstable nuclei

Isotopes

behave same in chemical reactions; differnet in nuvleor reactions. atoms of same element with differing number of neutrons and therefore mass number is diff but atomic number is same; C14

matter

made up of atoms,molecules

ATomic number

number of protons

neutrally charged atom

numbe rof p= number of electrons.

positivley charged

1p and 0 e-

protons

positivley charged in nucleus of an atoms; determine identity of atom

nuetron

nuetrally chargedin nucleus

nucleur reaction

occur when nuclei of an atom are converted into other types of nuclei by rearrangment of nucleons

E=mc2

amount ofmass missing can be converted to an amount of energy

control rods

neutrons absorbers that in nucleur reactor controlled by rods

combustion

reactions of hydrocarbons with oxegyn in atmosphere to produce carbon dioxide,water and heat