Nuclear Chemistry By Robert Jakubek and Michael Maki

Nuclear Decay 1. Decay Particles

1. α (alpha) Particle, β (beta) particle, λ (gamma particle), Positron, and Neutron

2. Decay Processes1. α (alpha) radiation, β (beta) radiation, and λ (gamma)

radiation

3. Nuclear Reaction Equations1. This that radioactivity is the result of a natural change of an

isotope of one element into an isotope of a different element. (Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity, Kotz, Treichel, Weaver)

4. Zone of Stability (neutron to proton ratio)1. A zone where different elements have stable isotopes

Decay Particles: α (Alpha) particle: An alpha particle is a a helium-4 particles. When an Alpha particle is lost by an elemental isotope, then it will decrease in atomic number and mass.β (Beta) particle: A beta particle is electrons that are emitted by a unstable nucleus. These beta particles travel at high speeds. A beta particle has a negative charge thus increasing the atomic number when being emitted. λ (Gamma) particle: A gamma particle are very short wave length of high energy photons. When a gamma particle is present, it does not change the atomic mass nor the atomic number.

Positron: A positron is a particle that has the same mass as an electron, but has the opposite charge.

Electron Capture: This is when an electron is captured by the nucleus of an atom. Neutron: A neutral particle that is part of the nucleus.

Decay ProcessAlpha Decay: This means that an element is shooting out alpha particles. When this happens, the element changes to a different isotope and different element such as, Uranium-238 undergoes a alpha decay which produces Thorium-234.Beta Decay: When a nucleus of an element becomes unstable, it shoots out a Beta particle causing the element to change such as, I-131 undergoes a beta decay creating Xenon-131.

Gamma Decay: A gamma decay happens when other decays happen because the gamma decay represents the energy that is lost.Positron: Same process as a beta decay, however instead of a negative emission, it is a positive emission.Electron Capture: When an electron attaches to a nucleus of an atom.Neutron: When there is an abundance of Neutrons in the nucleus.

Nuclear Reaction Equations

Nuclear Reaction equations are equations to show what type of reaction happened such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Positron, Neutron, or electron capture particles happened.

Neutron:

Electron Capture: Is essentially the same as a beta decay

Zone of Stability

Zone of Stability: The number of neutrons versus the number of protons for stable nuclei.Stable nuclei are in the shaded area.

Binding EnergyBinding energy is the amount of energy needed to separate a nucleus into individual nucleons.

E=mc2

E stands for energyM stands for massC stands for speed of light. (constant)These terms are all proportional, thus saying if mass is lost, then energy is lost.

Rate and Half LifeN=Noe-kt or A=Aoe-kt ---These are equations to show the half life decay. Half life’s can range from millionths of a second to a billion years. A radioactive isotope is on its on, meaning it won’t be affected by any external source such as temperature or pressure.-dN/dt=A=kN—Rate equation.