Dr Ahmad Taufek Abdul Rahman

School of Physics & Material Studies, Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia, Campus of Negeri Sembilan

i defined is d fi d as a physical process in which there is a change in identity of an atomic nucleus.

CHAPTER 9: Nuclear reaction (2 Hours)

Four types of nuclear reaction:

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

L Learning i Outcome: O t
9.1 Nuclear reaction (1 hour)
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

State the conservation of charge (Z) and nucleon number (A) in a nuclear reaction. Write and complete the equation of nuclear reaction. reaction Calculate the energy liberated in the process of nuclear reaction

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

9.1 Nuclear reaction

9.1.1 Conservation of nuclear reaction

Any nuclear reaction must obeyed conservation laws stated below: Conservation of relativistic energy (kinetic and rest energies):

relativistic energy gy = before reaction

relativistic energy gy after reaction linear momentum after reaction angular momentum after ft reaction ti
3

Conservation of linear momentum:

linear momentum = before reaction

Conservation of angular momentum:

angular momentum = b f reaction before ti

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Conservation of charge (atomic number Z):

atomic number Z before reaction mass number A before reaction

atomic number Z after reaction mass number A after reaction

Conservation of mass number A:

However, it is very hard to obey all the conservation laws.

N t Note: The most important of conservation laws should be obeyed by every nuclear reaction are conservation of charge (atomic number )and of mass number.

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

9.1.2 Reaction energy (Q)

Energy is released (liberated) in a nuclear reaction in the form of kinetic energy energ of the particle emitted, the kinetic energy energ of the daughter nucleus and the energy of the gammagamma-ray photon that may accompany the reaction. The energy is called the reaction OR disintegration energy (Q). It may be calculated by finding the mass defect of the reaction where

Mass defect

mass of nucleus before reaction

products after reaction

mass of nucleus
(9.1) (9.1 )

m = mi mf

The reaction energy Q is the energy equivalent to the mass defect m of the reaction, thus

Q = (m )c

(9.2 (9 (9.2) 2) 2) Speed of light in vacuum

5

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Note:

If the value of m OR Q is positive, the reaction is called exothermic (exoergic) in which the energy released in the form the kinetic energy of the product. If the value of m OR Q is negative, g the reaction is called endothermic (endoergic) in which the energy need to be absorbed for the reaction occurred.

9.1.3 Radioactivity decay

is defined as the phenomenon in which an unstable nucleus disintegrates to acquire a more stable nucleus without absorb an external energy. The disintegration is spontaneous and most commonly involves the emission of an alpha particle ( OR 4 He ), a beta 0 0 2 particle ( OR 1 e ) and gamma-ray ( OR ). It also 0 release l an energy Q known k as disintegration di i t ti energy.
6

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Example 1 :
Polonium nucleus decays by alpha emission to lead nucleus can be represented by the equation below:
212 208 4 Po Pb + 84 82 2 He + Q

Calculate a. the energy Q released in MeV. b. the wavelength g of the g gamma-ray yp produced. (Given mass of Po-212, mPo=211.98885 u ; mass of Pb-208, mPb=207.97664 u and mass of particle , m=4.0026 u) 212 208 4 Solution : decay Po Pb + 84 82 2 He + Q before decay after decay

Z = Z
i

and

A =A
i

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Solution : a. The mass defect (difference) of the reaction is given by

m = mi mf = mPo (mPb + m ) = 211.98885 (207.97664 + 4.0026) m = 9.61 103 u

The energy gy released in the decay y reaction can be calculated by y using two method: 27 2 st 1 u = 1 . 66 10 kg 1 method: Q = m c

( )
in kg

m = 9.61 10 3 1.66 10 27 29 = 1.5953 10 kg 29 8 Q = 1.5953 10 3.00 10 Q = 1.436 10 12 J

)(

)
)
2
8

)(

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Solution : a. Thus the energy released in MeV is

1.436 10 12 Q= 13 1.60 10 Q = 8.98 MeV

1 MeV = 1.60 1013 J

2nd method:

Q = (m )c
in u

1 u = 931.5 MeV/c 2

931.5 MeV/ c 2 2 = m c 1u 2 931 .5 MeV/c 2 3 c = 9.61 10 u 1 u Q = 8.95 MeV

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Solution : b. The reaction energy Q is released in form of gamma-ray where its wavelength a elength can be calculated calc lated b by appl applying ing the Plancks hc quantum theory:

E=

=Q hc = Q

Note:

1.436 10 13 = 1.39 10 m

( 6.63 10 )(3.00 10 ) =
34 8 12

The radioactive decay only occurred when the value of m OR Q is positive.

10

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Example 2 :

A nickel-66 nucleus 66 decays to a new nucleus by emitting a 28 Ni beta particle. particle a. Write an equation to represent the nuclear reaction. part ( (a) ) has the atomic mass of b. If the new nucleus found in p 65.9284 u and the atomic mass for nickel-66 is 65.9291 u, what is the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electron? (Given mass of electron, me =5.49 104 u and c =3.00 108 m s1) Solution : a. Nuclear N l reaction ti equation ti must t obey b th the conservation ti of f atomic t i number and the conservation of mass number.
66 66 0 28 Ni 29 X + 1 e + Q

decay

11

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Solution : b. Given m Ni = 65 .9291 u ; mX = 65 .9284 u The mass defect (difference) of the reaction is given by

m = mi mf = mN Ni (mX + me ) = 65.9291 65.9284 + 5.49 104 4 m = 1.51 10 u

If the reaction energy is completely convert into the kinetic energy of emitted electron, therefore the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electron is given by

K max = Q 2 = (m )c

K max

= 1.51 10 1.66 10 = 2.26 10 14 J

)(

27

)(3.00 10 )
12

8 2

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Example 3 :
Table 9.1 shows the value of masses for several nuclides. Nuclide
4 2 He 23 11 Na 27 13 Al

Mass (u) 4.0026 22 9898 22.9898

26.9815 Table 9.1 Di Discuss whether h h i it i is possible ibl f for 27 to emit i spontaneously l an 13 Al alpha particle. Solution : If by
27 13 Al

emits an alpha particle, the decay would be represented

27 13 Al

23 11 Na

4 2 He

26.9815 u

22.9898 u

4.0026 u

26.9924 u Since the total mass after the reaction is greater than that before 13 the reaction, therefore the reaction does not occur.

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

9.1.4 Bombardment with energetic particles

is defined as an induced nuclear reaction that does not occ r spontaneo occur spontaneously; sl it is ca caused sed b by a collision bet between een a nucleus and an energetic particles such as proton, neutron, alpha particle or photon. Consider a bombardment reaction in which a target nucleus X is bombarded by a particle x, resulting in a daughter nucleus Y, an emitted particle y and reaction energy Q:

X + x y + Y+ Q
X(x, y )Y

sometimes this reaction is written in the more compact form: target (parent) nucleus daughter nucleus

bombarding emitted particle particle p The calculation of reaction energy Q has been discussed in section 9.1.2. 14

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Examples of bombardment reaction:

14 4 17 1 7 N + 2 He 8 O+1 H + Q

( , p )17 8O 7 1 4 7 4 Li + H 2 H He + Q ( ) Li p , OR 3 1 2 3 2 He 10 1 7 4 10 7 OR ( ) B + n Li + He + Q B n , 5 0 3 2 5 3 Li
OR 14 7N
17

Example 4 :

A nitrogen nucleus 14 7 N is converted into an oxygen nucleus 8 O and a proton if it is bombarded by an alpha particle carrying certain amount of energy. a. Write down an expression for this nuclear reaction, showing the atomic number and the mass number of each nuclide and particle emitted. b Calculate the minimum energy of the alpha particle for this b. reaction to take place. (Given mp =0.16735 0.167351026 kg; m =0.66466 0.66466 1026 kg ; mass of nitrogen nucleus , mN =2.325301026 kg; mass of oxygen nucleus, 15 mO =2.822821026 kg ; c =3.00108 m s1)

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Solution : a. The expression represents the nuclear reaction is

14 7

4 17 + +Q N 2 He H 8O + 1 1H

b. The mass defect of the reaction is

m = mi mf = (mN + mHe ) (mO + mH )

m = 2.110
K min = Q

= 2.32530 10 + 0.66466 10 (2.82282 1026 + 0.16735 1026 )

30

26

26

k kg
2

Therefore the minimum energy of the alpha particle for this reaction to take place is

K min = (m )c 8 30 = 2.110 3.00 10 13 K min = 1.89 10 J

)(

2
16

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Exercise E i 9.1 91: Given c =3.00108 m s1, mn=1.00867 u, mp=1.00782 u,

1 1. Complete the following radioactive decay equations : a. 8 Be4 He +
4 2
94 38

b. 240 Po97 Sr +139 Ba + c. 236 U131 I + 3 1 n

92 53 0

d. 11 Na 1 e +
29
21 21

( )+ [
0

56

[ ]

e. 47 Sc 47 Sc +
40 f 40 f. K C + 19 20 Ca

17

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

E Exercise i 9.1 91:

2. Calculate the energy released in the alpha decay below:
238 92

U Th + He + Q
234 90 4 2

(Gi (Given mass of fU U-238, 238 mU=238.050786 238 050786 u ; mass of f Th Th-234, 234 ANS. ANS : 6.87 6 871013 J 3. The following nuclear reaction is obtained :
14 7

mTh=234.043583 u and mass of particle , m=4.002603 u)

N + n C+ H + 0.55 MeV
1 0 14 6 1 1 14 6

Determine the mass of C in atomic mass unit (u). (Gi (Given the th mass of f nitrogen it nucleus l is i 14.003074 14 003074 u) ) ANS. : 14.003872 u

18

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

L Learning i Outcome: O t
9.2 Nuclear fission and fusion (1 hour)
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to: Di ti Distinguish i h the th processes of f nuclear l fi fission i and d fusion. f i Explain the occurrence of fission and fusion in the form of g graph p of binding g energy gy per p nucleon. Explain chain reaction in nuclear fission of a nuclear reactor. D Describe ib the th process of f nuclear l fusion f i in i the th sun.

19

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

9.2 Nuclear fission and fusion

9 2 1 Nuclear fission 9.2.1

is defined as a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits p into two lighter g nuclei that are almost equal q in mass with the emission of neutrons and energy. Nuclear fission releases an amount of energy that is greater than the energy released in chemical reaction. Energy is released because the average binding energy per nucleon of the fission products is greater than that of the parent. It can be divided into two types: spontaneous fission very rarely occur. occur induced fission bombarding a heavy nucleus with slow neutrons or thermal neutrons of low energy (about 102 eV). Thi type of This f fission fi i i is the h i important process i in the h energy production.
20

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

For example, F l consider id th the b bombardment b d t of f 235 by slow l 92 U b neutrons. One of the possible reaction is
235 1 236 85 148 U + n U Br + 92 0 92 35 57 La 1 +30 n+Q

Nucleus in the excited state. The reaction can also be represented by the diagram in Figure 91 9.1.
85 35 Br 1 0n 1 0n

1 0n
235 92 U

236 92 U 148 57 La
1 +30 n +Q

1 0n

Figure 9.1 91 Other possible reactions are:

235 1 236 89 144 U + n U Kr + 92 0 92 36 56 Ba

235 1 236 94 139 1 U + n U Sr + Xe + 3 92 0 92 38 54 0n

+Q

21

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Most M t of f the th fission fi i fragments f t (daughter (d ht nuclei) l i) of f the th uraniumi 235 have mass numbers from 90 to 100 and from 135 to 145 as shown in Figure 9.2.

Figure 9.2

22

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Example 5 :
Calculate the energy released in MeV when 20 kg of uranium-235 undergoes fission according to
235 1 89 144 U + n Kr + 92 0 36 56 Ba 1 +30 n+Q

(Given the mass of U-235 =235.04393 u, mass of neutron =1.00867 u, mass of Kr-89 =88.91756 u, mass of Ba-144 =143.92273 143.92273 u and NA =6.02 6.021023 mol1) Solution : The mass defect (difference) of fission reaction for one nucleus U235 is

m = mi mf = (mU + mn ) (mKr + mBa + 3mn ) = (235.04393 + 1.00867) (88.91756 + 143.92273 + 3 1.00867) m = 0.1863 u 23

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Solution : The energy released corresponds to the mass defect of one U-235 is s Q = m c 2

931 .5 MeV/c 2 2 c = (0.1863 u ) 1 u Q = 174 MeV

235 103 kg of uranium-235 contains of 6.02 1023 nuclei 20 20 kg of urainum-235 contains of 6.02 10 23

3 235 10

= 5.12 10 25 nuclei

Therefore Energy released by 20 kg U-235

= 5.12 10 25 (174 )

= 8.91 10 MeV
24

27

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Example 6 :

( )
38

A uranium-235 nucleus undergoes fission reaction by bombarding it with a slow neutron neutron. The reaction produces a strontium strontium-90 90 nucleus 90 Sr , a nucleus X and three fast neutrons.

a. Write down the expression p represents p the fission reaction. b. If the energy released is 210 MeV, calculate the atomic mass of nucleus X. (Gi (Given the h mass of f U U-235 235 =235.04393 235 04393 u, mass of f neutron =1.00867 u and mass of Sr-90 =89.90775 u) Solution : a. The expression represents the fission reaction is
235 1 90 143 U + n Sr + 92 0 38 54 X 1 + 30 n+Q

25

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Solution : The energy released of 210 MeV equivalent to the mass defect for U-235 U 35 is s 2

Q = (m )c 931 .5 MeV/c 2 2 c 210 = (m ) 1 u

m = 0.22544 u

Therefore the atomic mass of the nucleus X is given by

m = mi mf m = (mU + mn ) (mSr + mX + 3mn ) 0.22544 = (235.04393 + 1.00867) (89.90775 + mX + 3 1.00867) mX = 142 .8934 u
26

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

9 2 2 Chain reaction 9.2.2

is defined as a nuclear reaction that is selfself- sustaining as a result of the products of one fission reaction initiating a subsequent b t fission fi i reaction ti . Figure 9.3 shows a schematic diagram of the chain reaction.

Stimulation 9.1

Figure 9.3

27

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

From Figure 9.3, one neutron initially causes one fission of a uranium-235 nucleus, the two or three neutrons released can go on to cause additional fissions, so the p process multiples. p This reaction obviously occurred in nuclear reactor. Conditions to achieve chain reaction in a nuclear reactor : Slow neutrons are better at causing fission so uranium are mixed with a material that does not absorb neutrons but slows them down. The fissile material must has a critical size which is defined as the minimum mass of fissile material that will sustain a nuclear chain reaction where the number of neutrons produced in fission reactions should balance the number of neutron escape from the reactor core. Th uncontrolled The ll d chain h i reactions i are used di in nuclear l weapons atomic bomb (Figure 9.4). The controlled chain reactions take p place in nuclear reactors (Figure 9.5) and release energy at a steady rate.
28

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Figure 9.4 94

Figure 9.5 95

29

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

9.2.3 Nuclear fusion

is defined as a type of nuclear reaction in which two light n clei fuse nuclei f se to form a heavier hea ier n nucleus cle s with ith the release of large amounts of energy. The energy gy released in this reaction is called thermonuclear energy. Examples of fusion reaction releases the energy are
2 2 3 1 H + H He + 1 1 2 0n + Q 2 2 3 1 H + H H + 1 1 1 1H + Q

The two reacting nuclei in fusion f reaction above themselves have to be brought into collision. As s bo both nuclei uc e a are e pos positively eyc charged a ged there e e is sas strong o g repulsive force between them, which can only be overcome if the reacting nuclei have very high kinetic energies. These high kinetic energies imply temperatures of the order of 108 K.
30

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

At these elevated temperatures temperatures, however fusion reactions are self sustaining and the reactants are in form of a plasma (i.e. nuclei and free electron) with the nuclei possessing sufficient energy to overcome electrostatic repulsion forces forces. The nuclear fusion reaction can occur in fusion bomb and in the core of a star. Deuterium-tritium D i ii f fusion i i is other h example l of ff fusion i reaction i where it can be represented by the diagram in Figure 9.6. Deuterium Tritium

2 1H

3 1H

Figure 9.6

Fusion reaction

2 3 4 1 H + H He + 1 1 2 0n

+Q

Alpha p p particle
4 2 He

N t Neutron
1 0n

Stimulation 9.2
31

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Example 7 :
A fusion reaction is represented by the equation below:
2 2 3 1 H + H H + 1 1 1 1H

Calculate a. the energy in MeV released from this fusion reaction, b. the energy released from fusion of 1.0 kg deuterium, (Gi (Given mass of f proton =1.007825 1 007825 u, mass of f tritium ii =3.016049 3 016049 u and mass of deuterium =2.014102 u) Solution : a. The mass defect of the fusion reaction for 2 deuterium nuclei is

m = mi mf = (mD + mD ) (mT + mp ) = (2.014102 + 2.014102) (3.016049 + 1.007825) 3 m = 4.33 10 u

32

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Solution : a. Therefore the energy released in MeV is

Q = (m )c 2 2 2 c 931 . 5 MeV/ 3 c = 4.33 10 u 1 u Q = 4.03 MeV

b. The mass of 2 deuterium nuclei is 4 103 kg. 4 103 kg of deuterium contains of 6.02 1023 nuclei 1.0 kg of deuterium contains of 1.0 6.02 10 23

3 4 10

= 1.505 10 26 nuclei
26 6

Therefore Energy released from = 1.0 kg deuterium

= 6.07 10 MeV

(1.505 10 )(4.03)
26
33

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

9.2.4 Nuclear fusion in the sun

The sun is a small star which generates energy on its own by means of f nuclear l f fusion i in i it its i interior. t i The fuel of fusion reaction comes from the protons available in the sun. The protons undergo a set of fusion reactions, producing isotopes of hydrogen and also isotopes of helium. However, the h li helium nuclei l i th themselves l undergo d nuclear l reactions ti which hi h produce protons again. This means that the protons go through a cycle which is then repeated. Because of this proton-proton cycle, nuclear fusion in the sun can be self sustaining. The set of fusion reactions in the proton-proton cycle can be illustrated by Figure 9.7. 97

34

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

positron (beta plus) 1 1 2 0 1 H +1 H 1 H + 1 e + v + Q

2 1 3 H + H 1 1 2 He +

neutrino

+Q
+Q

3 3 4 1 1 2 He+ 2 He 2 He+1 H +1 H

Fi Figure 9.7 97

The amount of energy released per cycle is about 25 MeV. N l Nuclear f fusion i occurs i in the h i interior i of f the h sun b because the h temperature of the sun is very high (approximately 1.5 107 K).

35

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

9.2.5 Comparison between fission and fusion

Table 9.2 shows the differences between fission and fusion reaction reaction. Fission Fusion

Splitting a heavy nucleus into two C Combines bi t two small ll nuclei l it to f form small nuclei. a larger nucleus. It occurs at very high temperature It occurs at temperature can be (108 K). controlled. Difficult to controlled and a Easier to controlled and sustained controlled reaction has sustained sustained. not yet been achieved.

Table 9.2 The similarity between the fission and fusion reactions is both reactions produces energy. Graph of binding energy per nucleon against the mass number in Figure 9.8 is used to explain the occurrence of fission and 36 fusion reactions.

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Greatest stability

Binding energy per n nucleon (MeV/nu ucleon)

Fission The falling part of the binding energy curve shows that very heavy elements such as uranium can produce energy by fission of their nuclei to nuclei of smaller mass number. Fusion The rising part of the binding energy curve shows that elements with low mass number can produce energy by fusion.

Figure 9.8 Mass number A

37

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

Exercise E i 9.2 92: Given c =3.00108 m s1, mn=1.00867 u, mp=1.00782 u,

1 1. Complete the following nuclear reaction equations:
3 4 ] He + 3 2 2 He 2 1 b. 58 [ ] Ni + H + 28 1 1H

a. 6 Li +

1 138 1 c. 235 U + n Xe + 5 92 0 54 0n +

12 d. 9 Be , ____ 4 6C

e. 2.

) _____(n, p )16 7N

Calculate the energy released in joule for the following fusion 2 4 1 reaction: 2 H + H He + 1 1 2 0n (Given the mass of deuterium =3.3451027 kg, mass of tritium =5 =5.008 0081027 kg, kg mass of He = 6 6.647 6471027 kg and mass of neutron =1.6751027 kg) 38 ANS. : 2.81012 J

DR.ATAR @ UiTM.NS

PHY310 NUCLEAR REACTION

All ll The h Best t Final Exam Oct 2012

39