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The Nucleus

The Nucleus. Objectives: Relate nuclear stability to the ratio of neutrons to protons Describe the forms of radioactive decay Balance decay equations. The Nucleus. Definitions: nucleons- protons and neutrons collectively nuclide- a specific atom (in nuclear chemistry)

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The Nucleus

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  1. The Nucleus Objectives: • Relate nuclear stability to the ratio of neutrons to protons • Describe the forms of radioactive decay • Balance decay equations

  2. The Nucleus Definitions: nucleons-protons and neutrons collectively nuclide- a specific atom (in nuclear chemistry) mass defect – difference between the actual mass of an atom and the sum of the masses of all of an atom’s protons, neutrons, and electrons Nuclear binding energy – energy released when a nucleus is formed from nucleons (E = mc2)

  3. Binding Energy per Nucleon Higher binding energy/nucleon  higher nuclear stability

  4. Band of Stability Small atoms tend to have neutron-proton ratios ~ 1:1 The ratio approaches 1.5:1 as the atomic number increases Explained by the relationship between strong nuclear forces and electrostatic repulsion

  5. Nucleons and nuclear stability • Strong nuclear forces act over very short distances • As the # of protons increases, the electrostatic force between protons increases • More neutrons are needed to stabilize the nucleus

  6. Nuclear Reactions Transmutation – transformation of one element into another • Nuclear reactions occur when unstable nuclei undergo changes in the # of protons and neutrons in order to increase stability • Large amounts of energy are given off

  7. Nuclear Reactions • In nuclear equations, the sum of atomic #’s and mass #’s must be equal on both sides of the equation.

  8. Complete the following nuclear reactions:

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