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NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY. FYI: Historical Perspective. Henri Becquerel 1896 - Discovers natural radioactivity. FYI: Historical Perspective. Marie Sklodowska, Polish chemist marries Pierre Curie, French physicist Marie died from leukemia caused by her exposure to radiation
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FYI: Historical Perspective • Henri Becquerel • 1896 - Discovers natural radioactivity
FYI: Historical Perspective • Marie Sklodowska, Polish chemist marries Pierre Curie, French physicist • Marie died from leukemia caused by her exposure to radiation • Pierre was killed while crossing the street when he was hit by a vegetable wagon.
FYI: Historical Perspective • Earnest Rutherford • 1899 – Discovers alpha, beta and gamma radiation
Nuclear Reactions • Involve changes in the composition of nuclei • Accompanied by the release of tremendous amounts of energy
Nuclear Fission • The splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei
Nuclear Fusion • The combination of light nuclei to produce a heavier nucleus
Nuclides • Different atomic forms of all elements • Most small nuclides have equal # of protons and neutrons • Some nuclides have “magic #’s” of protons and neutrons and are especially stable
The neutron-to-proton ratio determines the stability of the nucleus • For low atomic #’s: • Equal #’s of protons and neutrons • Above atomic #20: • More neutrons than protons
Nuclei whose neutron-to-proton ratio is unstable undergo radioactive decay by emitting 1 or more particles and/or electromagnetic rays:
Nuclei whose neutron-to-proton ratio is unstable undergo radioactive decay by emitting 1 or more particles and/or electromagnetic rays: helium nucleus 4.0026 2+ low electron 0.00055 1- low-med high energy radiation 0 0 high proton, H nucleus 1.0073 1+ low-med neutron 1.0087 0 very high
Alpha Particle Decay • Example 1: Radium-226 transmutates by alpha decay. Write the nuclear equation that represents this process. or
+ + Beta Particle Decay • Example 2: Write the nuclear equation for the beta-decay of boron-12. or
Gamma Radiation • Example 3: Write the nuclear equation representing gamma radiation given off by the unstable radionuclide cobalt-60.