chem 86 - nuclear chem

Atomic Number (Z)

number of protons in nucleus

Protons, neutrons

Mass Number (A) = number of __ + number of __

Atomic number, neutrons

Mass Number (A) is also = __ + number of __

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different number of neutrons in the nuclei

Radioactive decay

Isotope decomposes when it is unstable by a process referred to as __

Proton, Neutron

In a decay process, a neutron is converted to a/an __ and a/an __

83

Elements having an atomic number greater than __ are radioactive

Nuclear Transmutation

__ results from a bombardment of nuclei by neutrons, protons, or other nuclei

Heavier, Lighter

__ elements will synthesize from __ elements

Stable

An atom is __ if the forces among the protons and neutrons are balanced

Unstable or Radioactive

An atom is __ if the forces among the protons and neutrons are unbalanced

Positron decay (β+)

If a proton is converted to a neutron (n/p too small), it is known as __ decay

Beta decay (β-)

If a neutron is converted to a proton (n/p too large), it is known as __ decay

Electron capture decay

If an atom's nucleus captures an electron from its electron cloud and converts a proton into a neutron and energy/neutrino (v) (n/p too small), it is known as __ decay

Alpha decay (α)

If a nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons, it is known as __ decay

Spontaneous fission

When a heavy atomic nucleus naturally splits into two or more smaller nuclei and releases additional neutrons during the process, it is known as __ fission

Gamma

type of radioactive decay that is the most penetrating form and has the most energy

Half-life (t1/2)

the amount of time for a radioactive species (or a reactant) to decrease its original amount to half (50%)

Nuclear binding energy (BE)

the energy required to break up a nucleus into its component protons and neutrons

Binding energy, no. of nucleons

binding energy per nucleon = __ / __

Nuclear transmutation

When the nucleus of an atom undergoes a change, resulting in the conversion of one chemical element into another, it is known as __

Nuclear Fission

a process in which a heavy nucleus (mass number > 200) divides to form a smaller nuclei of intermediate mass and one or more neutrons.

Nuclear chain reaction

a self-sustaining sequence of nuclear fission reactions.

Critical mass

The minimum mass of fissionable material required to generate a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction