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Learn about natural and artificial transmutation processes in nuclear science, including decay types, equations, and particle accelerators.
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Natural Transmutation Aim Nuke 3 – When an element goes through natural transmutation, what is created?
Radiation Emissions • When natural transmutation occurs • A radioactive particle is released • changing the radioisotope into a totally different element • Conservation of Matter applies • What you start with equals what you end up with • The sum of the mass numbers and atomic numbers on the left of the reaction (reactants) • equals the sum of the mass numbers and atomic numbers on the right (products)
Alpha decay • Transmutation (change) with release of an alpha (a) particle • A helium nucleus missing electrons • Large mass (4 amu) and a charge of +2 • A chunk of the nucleus is spit off • Example 238U 234Th + 4He 92 90 2 Parent daughter radioactive nuclei nuclei emission
Other examples of alpha decay • 238U 4He + 234 Th 92 2 90 • 226Rn 4He + 222 Po 86 2 84 3. 239Pu 4He + 235 U 94 2 92
Beta decay • Transmutation (change) with the release of a beta (b-) particle • A high energy electron (tiny mass, -1) • A neutron breaks into a proton and a fast moving electron • Example 234Th 234Pa + 0 e 90 91 -1 Parent daughter radioactive nuclei nuclei emission
Examples of beta decay • 14C 0e + 14 N 6 -1 7 2. 42K 0e + 42 Ca 19 -1 20 3. 16N 0e + 16 O 7 -1 8
Positron decay • Transmutation (change) with the release of a positron (b+) particle • A piece of antimatter (a high energy electron with a positive charge) • Tiny mass, +1 charge • A neutron breaks into a proton and a positron • Example 37K 37Ar + 0 e 19 18 +1 Parent daughter emission
Examples of positron decay • 37Ca 0e + 37 K 20 +1 19 2. 19Ne 0e + 19 F 10 +1 9 3. 53Fe 0 e + 53 Mn 26 +1 25
Gamma decay • Large amounts of EM energy released • Gamma rays • similar to x-rays in energy • Only stopped by layers of metals or concrete • No change in the nucleusexcept: lowers the energy of the nucleus, making it more stable • Example 99mTc 0g + 99Tc 43 0 43
Practice • 238U 4He + 234Th 92 2 90 2. 226Ra 4He + 222 Rn 88 2 86 3. 3H 0 e + 3 He 1 -1 2 4. 19Ne 0e + 19 F 10 +1 9 5. 14C 0 e + 14 N 6 -1 7
Artificial Transmutation • The creation of man-made radioisotopes • Involves the high energy collision of one particle into another • Results in new elements being formed • Can also release large amounts of energy in the process • Example: 14N + 4 He 17 O + 1p 7 2 8 1
Artificial Transmutation • Particle accelerators • Also known as atom smashers • They use magnetic and electric fields to accelerate or “push” charged particles • This allows particles to crash together to gain enough energy to overcome forces in the nucleus • Analogy • shoot a bullet at a clock • it shatters • The pieces that fly out tell us what’s in it
Other examples of artificial transmutation • Example 1 - What is the nuclear equation for the bombardment of nitrogen-14 nuclei with alpha particles to produce artificially transmuted oxygen-17? 14N + 4 He 18 O + 0 e 7 2 8 +1
Other examples of artificial transmutation • Ex 2 – aluminum-27 is bombarded with alpha particles to produce radioactive phosphorus-30 • What does the nuclear equation look like? 27Al + 4 He 30 P + 1n 13 2 15 0