Nuclear Physics

Nucleus

• Part of an atom and is composed of protons and neutrons

• # of protons is called the atomic number

• protons + neutrons = nucleons

Protons + Neutrons vs Electrons

• Protons and neutrons are heavier than electrons

• to find neutrons: mass # - atomic #

Nuclear Change - Radioactive Decay

• transformation/transmutation of unstable nuclei (radioisotopes) into more stable nuclei

• geothermal

• can be split into three processes:

  • alpha

  • beta

  • gamma

• Forces of attraction < Forces of repulsion

Alpha Decay

• Instability caused by imbalance between forces between nucleus causing to break apart between two alpha particles

• Release of alpha particles

• 4,2 He ion ejected

Beta Decay

• Instability between the nucleus leads to an emission of a beta particle, an electron

• Each particle originates from the nucleus and not from orbiting electrons

• Neutron converted to p+

• e- ejected

Gamma Radiation

• not comprised of a stream of charged particles

• consists of gamma photons

• no mass or charge

• usually emitted as an additional product of alpha or beta decay

Nuclear Change - Fission

• break it apart on purpose - splitting of atoms

• nuclear reactions

• used in atomic bombs

• used to generate electricity around the world

• occurs when a large nucleus is struck by a neutron and breaks into two smaller nuclei