Fusion, Fission, and Radioactive decay

too many neutrons

beta decay

too many protons

alpha decay (overcome the strong force)

proton decay and electron capture are because of

weak force is the reason for this

nuclear decay is

a spontaneous reaction where the nucleus goes through a change

e=mc²

energy=mass*speed of light²

what is fusion

small nuclei fuse together to form a larger nucleus, a LOT of energy is released. often occurs in stars and bombs

what is fission

triggered by collision of neutrons with large radioactive nucleus, nucleus splits 2 or 3 neutrons released that can release fission reactions

atomic mass does not change but decreases atomic # by one. proton turns into a neutron by emitting a positron

proton decay and electron capture

an electron is released, neutron turns into a proton, then releases an electron in that processproton stay in the nucleus, electron is released. no effect on mass #, increases atomic #

beta decay

alpha particle comes from nucleus, two protons and two neutrons turn into helium particles, reduces the atomic mass by 4, atomic number by 2

alpha decay

protons and neutrons are equal

stable

protons and and neutrons unequal

unstable

how hot does it have to be for proton proton chains to occur?

4 million degrees kelvin

two protons

helium

one proton

hydrogen

what temperature does it have to be for carbon nitrogen cycle (CNO) to occur

15 million degrees kelvin

carbon

mass number of 12, atomic number of 6

atomic number is always

smaller

nitrogen

mass number of 14, atomic number of 7

oxygen

mass number of 16, atomic number of 8

mass deficit occurs because

it takes more energy to bind together atoms

fusion…

creates heavier atoms from light atoms

fission..

splits heavy atoms into smaller atoms

how long ago was the big bang

13.8 billion years ago

what caused the big bang?

gravity + spontaneous energy