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Radioactivity and Nuclear Reactions. Nuclear Reactions. A reaction that involves a change in the atoms’ nucleus All other reactions involve a change in electrons In nuclear reactions, the elements can change due to the change in the number of protons. 226 Ra → 222 Rn + 4 He
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Nuclear Reactions • A reaction that involves a change in the atoms’ nucleus • All other reactions involve a change in electrons • In nuclear reactions, the elements can change due to the change in the number of protons. • 226Ra → 222Rn + 4He • In the above example, radium splits to form two new atoms, radon and helium • Nuclear reactions release a lot more energy than regular reactions do. 88 86 2
Fusion • Fusion- two or more atoms join to form a larger atom • 2H + 6Li → 7Be + 1n • Process that occurs in the sun • Used in a hydrogen bomb 3 4 0 1
Fission • Fission- an atom breaks apart into smaller atoms • 226Ra → 222Rn + 4He • Used in bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki • Used in nuclear power plants to generate energy 88 86 2
Fission • Nuclear Fission
Radioactivity • A substance spontaneously emitting radiation • Radiation- high-energy rays and particles emitted by radioactive materials • Radioactivity is an atom’s attempt to become more stable. • Radioactive atoms are unstable due to their number of neutrons. • Can be either too many or too few • Nuclear reactions allow unstable atoms to become stable.
Types of Radiation • Alpha Particle- 4He2+, two protons and two neutrons –He nucleus • 226Ra → 222Rn + 4He • Beta Particle- 0β1-, a fast moving electron produced when a neutron breaks down into a proton • 14C → 14N + 0β • Gamma Rays- 0γ, high energy photon with no mass – electromagnetic radiation • 238U → 234Th + 4He + 2 0γ 2 88 86 2 -1 -1 7 6 0 0 92 90 2
