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Learn about nuclear reactors, radioactivity decay, isotopes, and the contributions of pioneers like Marie Curie. Understand concepts such as alpha, beta, and gamma decay, radioactive half-life, and nuclear stability. Discover the Band of Stability and explore common radioactive isotopes and their half-lives. Dive into nuclear chemistry with clear explanations and examples to enhance your understanding.
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Intro to NuclearChemistry Mr. Krum GHS
How does a nuclear reactor work? http://www.lanl.gov/science/1663/images/reactor.jpg
How does a small mass contained in this bomb cause…… • Nuclear Bomb of 1945 known as “fat man” http://www.travisairmuseum.org/assets/images/fatman.jpg
…this huge nuclear explosion? http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01200/Graphics/705px-Nuclear_fireball.jpg
Is there radon in your basement? http://a.abcnews.com/images/Blotter/abc_1radon_ad_070625_ssh.jpg
Nucleons • Protons and Neutrons
Isotopes • Atoms of a given element with: same #protons but different # neutrons
H H H http://education.jlab.org/glossary/isotope.html
Radioactive Isotopes • Isotopes of certain unstable elements that spontaneously emit particles and energy from the nucleus. • Henri Beckerel 1896 accidentally observed radioactivity of uranium salts that were fogging photographic film. • His associates were Marie and Pierre Curie.
Marie Curie: born 1867, in Poland as Maria Sklodowska • Lived in France • 1898 discovered the elements polonium and radium. http://www.radiochemistry.org/nuclearmedicine/pioneers/images/mariecurie.jpg
Marie Curie a Pioneer of Radioactivity • Winner of 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics with Henri Becquerel and her husband, Pierre Curie. • Winner of the sole 1911 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
3 Main Types of Radioactive Decay • Alpha a • Betab • Gamma g
Alpha Decay Emission of alphaparticlesa : • helium nuclei • two protons and two neutrons • charge +2e • can travel a few inches through air • can be stopped by a sheet of paper, clothing.
Alpha Decay Uranium Thorium
Alpha Decay http://education.jlab.org/glossary/alphadecay.gif
Beta Decay • Beta particles b: electrons ejected from the nucleus when neutrons decay ( n -> p+ +b- ) • Beta particles have the same charge and mass as "normal" electrons.
Beta Decay • Beta particles b: electrons ejected from the nucleus when neutrons decay n -> p+ +b- • Beta particles have the same charge and mass as "normal" electrons. • Can be stopped by aluminum foil or a block of wood.
Beta Decay Thorium Protactinium
Gamma Decay • Gamma radiation g : electromagnetic energy that is released. • Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves. • They have no mass. • Gamma radiation has no charge. • Most Penetrating, can be stopped by 1m thick concrete or a several cm thick sheet of lead.
Examples of RadioactiveDecay Alpha Decay Po Pb + He Beta Decay p n + e n p + e C N + e Gamma Decay Ni Ni + g (excited nucleus)
Part II Nuclear Stability Half-Life
Nuclear Stability • Depends on the neutron to proton ratio.
Band of Stability Number of Neutrons, (N) Number of Protons (Z)
What happens to an unstable nucleus? • They will undergo decay • The type of decay depends on the reason for the instability
What type of decay will happen if the nucleus contains too many neutrons? • Beta Decay
Example: 14 14 0 C N + e In N-14 the ratio of neutrons to protons is 1:1 6 -1 7
Radioactive Half-Life (t1/2 ): • The time for half of the radioactive nuclei in a given sample to undergo decay.
Common Radioactive Isotopes Isotope Half-Life Radiation Emitted Carbon-14 5,730 years b, g Radon-222 3.8 days a Uranium-235 7.0 x 108 years a, g Uranium-238 4.46 x 109 years a
Radioactive Half-Life • After one half life there is 1/2 of original sample left. • After two half-lives, there will be 1/2 of the 1/2 = 1/4 the original sample.
Graph of Amount of RemainingNuclei vs Time A=Aoe-lt A
Example You have 100 g of radioactive C-14. The half-life of C-14 is 5730 years. • How many grams are left after one half-life? Answer:50 g • How many grams are left after two half-lives?
Problem A sample of 3x107 Radon atoms are trapped in a basement that is sealed. The half-life of Radon is 3.83 days. How many radon atoms are left after 31 days? answer:1.2x105 atoms