Nuclear Chemistry

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that contain the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, resulting in different atomic masses.

Isotopic Notation

A standard way to represent an atom by showing the mass number (A) as a superscript and the atomic number (Z) as a subscript to the left of the chemical symbol (X): ^{A}_{Z}X

Calculating Atomic Mass

The weighted average mass of an element's isotopes, calculated using the formula:

• \sum (\text{isotope mass} \times \text{natural abundance})

• Example: (mass{1} \times \%{1}) + (mass{2} \times \%{2}) + \dots

Alpha decay

A type of radioactive decay that occurs when the nucleus is too large; it emits an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons), reducing the mass number by 4 and the atomic number by 2.

Beta decay

Radioactive decay that happens when there are too many neutrons in the nucleus; a neutron converts into a proton and emits a beta particle (a high-speed electron).

Gamma Decay

The emission of high-energy electromagnetic waves (gamma rays) from an unstable nucleus to shed excess energy, often following alpha or beta decay.

Cosmic radiation

High-energy radiation originating from outer space, primarily consisting of protons and atomic nuclei that collide with the Earth's atmosphere.

Radioactive materials

Naturally occurring or synthetic substances containing unstable nuclei that spontaneously emit ionizing radiation as they transform into simpler, more stable forms.

Man Made Radiation

Ionizing radiation created by human activity, including:

• Medical procedures (X-rays and CT scans)

• Nuclear medicine

• Nuclear power generation

• Consumer products like smoke detectors

Fission

Nuclear fission is a reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei. The fission process often produces gamma photons, and releases a very large amount of energy even by the energetic standards of radioactive decay.

Fusion

In fusion, two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus and release energy.

E=mc² in nuclear chemistry

Mass and Energy can be converted to eachother