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Understanding Nuclear Chemistry: Structure, Radiation, and Energy

Explore the fascinating world of nuclear chemistry, where atomic nuclei and radioisotopes undergo changes through radioactive decay. Learn about alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, as well as the concepts of half-life and nuclear fission. Discover the uses of nuclear energy in fields such as medicine, dating techniques, cancer therapy, imaging, and power generation.

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Understanding Nuclear Chemistry: Structure, Radiation, and Energy

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  1. Nuclear Chemistry

  2. Nuclear chemistry is the study of the structure of atomic nuclei and the changes they undergo.

  3. Isotopes of atoms with unstable nuclei are called radioisotopes.

  4. Unstable nuclei emit radiation to attain more stable atomic configurations in a process called radioactive decay. • During radioactive decay, unstable atoms lose energy by emitting one of several types of radiation. • Elements with atomic # higher than 83 are all radioactive.

  5. Types of Radiation • Alpha particles  • Given off when a nucleus releases 2 protons and 2 neutrons • Same as a helium nucleus • Largest and slowest form of radiation • Least penetrating • Can be stopped by a sheet of paper

  6. Alpha Decay

  7. Beta particles  • Neutron decays into a proton and electron • Electron (beta particle) is emitted at very high speed • Proton stays in nucleus • Increases the atomic number by one – new element is formed • Does not affect the mass number • Much faster than alpha particles • Can be stopped by a thin metal foil or wood

  8. Beta decay

  9. Gamma rays  • Most penetrating and potentially dangerous • Highest energy and frequency • No mass, no charge • Travel at speed of light • Lead and concrete used to stop rays

  10. Which type of radiation would be detected at sites 1, 2, & 3 below?

  11. Half-Life • Amount of time it takes for half of a sample of radioactive isotope to decay • Carbon-14 is used in radioactive dating • Half-life of carbon is 5730 years.

  12. Calculating Amount of Remaining Isotope • Iron-59 is used in medicine to diagnose blood circulation disorders. • The half-life of iron-59 is 44.5 days. • How much of a 2.000-mg sample will remain after 133.5 days?

  13. 0.125 mg 2016 25 mg 1 mg 0.625 mg 6.0 years 75 min 31,250 atoms 0.0625 g; 102.4 g 20 minutes 3.875 x 1018 atoms, 120 s Honors Half-Life Problems Answers

  14. Detecting Radiation • Devices: • Geigercounter • Film badge

  15. Uses of Nuclear Energy & Radiation Radioactive dating • uses isotopes of known half-life to determine age of rocks, fossils, etc. Cancer therapy (radiation treatment) • gamma radiation kills cancerous AND healthy cells

  16. Imaging • inject radioactive isotopes into the body • “see” the inner workings of the body by following radioactive isotopes Smoke detectors

  17. Nuclear Fission • splitting of a nucleus into smaller fragments • releases tremendous amount of E

  18. atomic bombs = uncontrolled fission reactions • nuclear reactors = controlled fission reactions • heat used to generate steam & electrical power

  19. Da Bomb

  20. Effects of the Atomic Bomb

  21. Nuclear Fusion • Also called thermonuclear reactions • Combining of two or more nuclei to form one nucleus of larger mass • Requires extremely high temperatures or strong magnetic field • Occurs in the sun & H-bombs

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