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STRONG FORCES
Strong Forces
Beta Decay
Sometimes when the neutron ejects
the electron it is not captured by a
nearby proton, producing what is
called BETA DECAY. A neutron
becomes a proton and the atom
becomes an entirely new atom since it
now has a different atomic number.
See next slide.
Nuclear Stability
The nucleus of the atom wants to be
stable, meaning that all the various
forces complement each other. When
these forces are out of balance, the
atom will do a number of things to
make itself into a more stable atom.
An unstable atom can result from the
ratio of protons to neutrons being too
few neutrons (the glue that holds the
nucleus together), or too many
neutrons. If the ratio is not correct, the
atom will become radioactive.
Radioactivity
A radioactive atom results when the nucleus
of the atom attempts to become more
stable by changing itself. This change
results in RADIATION. The type of
radiation given off depends on how the
nucleus transmutates.
For example:
- alpha decay results when the nucleus of
the atom gives off a two protons and
two neutrons, which is essentially the
nucleus of a helium atom. This changes
the mass of the element by 4 amu.
- beta decay occurs when a neutron
changes into a proton and an electron,
which is released from the atom. You end
up with a NEW ATOM, BUT The mass of
the atom remains the same.
Alpha Decay
Here you can see the alpha particles, or
helium nucleus leaving the nucleus of the
atom. The strong force has been overcome.
Alpha () Decay
Example
88
86
Radium alpha decay
Radon
226
222
Notice that since an alpha particle
consists of two protons and two
neutrons, the mass of the atom
decreases by FOUR and the
atomic number decreases by
TWO, changing the atom into
Beta Decay
Beta decay occurs when a NEUTRON changes into a
PROTON. In doing so, an electron is ejected and a
NEW ATOM FORMS (this is called a
DAUGHTER ATOM). Here the atomic number
goes from 55 Cs, to 56, Ba.
Gamma Decay
Half Life
Each radioactive isotope of an element
has its own half-life. This is defined as
the time that it takes for of the
material to no longer be radioactive.
The life of a material may be as short
as a few seconds or as long as several
billion years.
Fission
Fission is defined as the splitting
of the nucleus of the atom to
make two roughly equal sized
smaller atoms.
It is important to remember that the
nucleus of the atom contains most
of the measurable mass of the
atom, so the masses of the newly
formed atoms are close to each
other too.
Example 1
If an atom of Sulfur were to
undergo FISSION, what
would be the likely
products?
32.1 S
16
See the next slide for the
answer.
Example 1 Answer
Since the atomic number for Sulfur is 16, the
splitting of the nucleus into two equal parts will
result in two atoms of Oxygen, Atomic Number
of 8. The mass would also split giving each atom
a mass of 8 amu.
32S
16
16O
8
16O
8
Example 2
What would be the most likely products if
an atom of silver, Ag, were to undergo
fission?
108Ag
Answer next slide.
47
Example 2 Answer
Silver has an odd atomic number, 47.
Since it is not possible to have half of a
proton the atom will split into two
different atoms whose atomic numbers
sum to 47.
108Ag 54V
47
23
54Cr
24
Fusion
Fusion is defined as the
combining of the nucleus of
two atoms to make one larger
atom.
This is the process that takes place
on the sun where the sun
combines two Hydrogen atoms to
make a helium atom.
Example 1
What would be the most likely product if
an atom of Ga were fused with an
atom of Se?
70Ga
31
79Se
34
Example 1 Answer
Since fusion combines the nucleus the
new atom would be element 65, Tb.
70Ga
31
79Se
34
149Tb
65
New Elements
The process of fusion is used by
scientists to create new elements.
Basically, they take two elements and
at very high speeds, collide them. The
nuclei of the two atoms smash into
each other and join together. Some of
the protons fly off, some remain. If
they are lucky, they have enough
protons remaining to create a new
atom.
REVIEW
Transmutation is the changing of the
nucleus of the atom. This involves the
strong and weak forces of the atom,
which involve alpha and beta decay.
Both fission and fusion involve the nucleus
of the atom. In both cases a new atom is
formed since you are involving the
protons in the nucleus of the atom.
Fis/sion involves splitting the atom.
Fusion FuNion, UNION, results in the
union of two nuclei making one larger
atom.
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Lets do a few practice problems to see
if you fully understand what you read.
An atom of Zr (40) undergoes two alpha
decays and a beta decay, then fission.
If the products are added to both Na
and to F, separately, what would be
the molarity if 300 grams of product
form (compound only)?
Answer
Alpha decay means there is a problem
with the STRONG FORCE, so you will
lose two protons and two neutrons for
each alpha decay. The atom will
change by two each time and the
mass will change by four.
Zr fission
So, two protons times 2=4 protons lost.
The new atom must be Kr(36)
Answer
The new atom must be Kr(36)
You also lose a mass of four each time, so
4x2 = 8 amu lost.
91-8 = 83 amu
Now, Beta Decay. One neutron will change
into a proton and eject an electron.
So, the atom Kr will now become
element 37, which is Rb.
K1+ + F1- KF
The mass of KF is the sum of K (what
we made, 42 and F, 19. So a mass of
61amu.
Moles are grams/mmass so
300/61 = 4.91M\
BAM!!!!!!