Nuclear Chemistry

The Nucleus

Nucleus is at the center of an atom

what surrounds the nucleus

an electron cloud

nucleus is made up of what

protons and neutrons known as nucleons

Isotopes

Isotopes are atoms of the same elements witht the same amount of protons but different amount of neutrons

Isotope Notation

A Mass Number - Proton + Neutron

Z - Amount of protons

Binding Energy

the energy holding the protons and neutrons together at the nucleus

Mass Defect equation

E = MC²

E = binding energy

m = mass defect

c = speed of light

What does a greater mass defect indicate

greater binding energy

Mass Defect defintion

the difference between the calculated mass of nuckeus and actual mass of nucleus

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear Fisision is the act of spliting a heavy unstable atom into smaller atoms to create energy

Nuclear Fusion

Merges lights atoms into heavier atoms which releases energy

Alpha Radioactive Decay

release of an alpha particle

all you do is minus 4/2 He

Beta positive Radioactive decay

Emits a Positron or 0/+1

Gamma Radioactive Decay

Unstable atomic nuclei and releases gamma rays

+Y or 0/0

Radioactive Decay Definiton

Occurs when the nucleus of an unstable element is spontaneously converted into more stable and radioactive particle

Beta minus radioactive decay

Emits a beta particle or 0/-1

on the right side of arrow to product increase the atomic number

Beta Electron Capture Decay

Nucleus of an atom draws in an inner shell electron which converts into neutron and decreases atomic number 0/-1

on the left side of arrow to the reactant decrease atomic number

Penetrating Power of Radioactive Particles

Weakest to Strongest

Alpha

Beta

X Ray

Gamma

Neutron

Radioactive half life

All decay processes are first order reactions

all elements half life stay the same

half life formula

amount remaining = inital smount x 1/2^n

Equation of Mass Defect in terms of the total mass

Inital Mass of Nucleons - Mass Defect = Total Combined Nucleons

Nuclear Binding Energy is always

released when nucleons form a nucleus