Nuclear Chemistry

Nuclear Chemistry

study of changes in structure of

nuclei and subsequent changes in
chemistry

Stability of an Atom

All elements after Bismuth (atomic

#83) are unstable
Unstable atoms have the wrong ratio
of protons and neutrons
Unstable atoms become stable by
changing their nucleus: this is called
DECAY

Writing Nuclear Equations

Problem

Solution:

Types of Nuclear Reactions

Radioactive Decay
Nuclear Bombardment

Radioactive Decay

nucleus decays spontaneously giving off

an energetic particle
Discovered by Antoine Henri Becquerel
in 1896
He saw that photographic plates
developed bright spots when exposed to
uranium metals

Isotopic Symbolism

The penetrating power of radiation.

Types of radioactive decay

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

alpha particle emission

beta emission
positron emission
electron capture
gamma emission

Alpha decay
alpha particle emission

loss of a helium nucleus.

Example:

283
92

decay

U
4

Th He

279
90

He is an alpha particle

4
2

Types of radioactive decay

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

alpha particle emission

beta emission
positron emission
electron capture
gamma emission

Beta decay

beta emission

A neutron splits into a proton and electron which

is spit out as a particle.

Example:
40
19

decay

40
20

Ca

0
-1

Types of radioactive decay

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

alpha particle emission

beta emission
positron emission
electron capture
gamma emission

Positron Emission

positron emission

A proton kicks out positive charge (a positron,

+) to become a neutron.

Example:
13
7

emission

C e
13
6

0
1

Types of radioactive decay

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

alpha particle emission

beta emission
positron emission
electron capture
gamma emission

Electron Capture

electron capture (EC)

an electron (from inner shell) is
sucked into the nucleus to
combine with a proton produces
a neutron.

Example:

Cr e

51
24

0
1

e capture

V
51
23

Types of radioactive decay

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

alpha particle emission

beta emission
positron emission
electron capture
gamma emission

Gamma Emission

gamma emission
emission of energy (photon) from
an unstable nucleus.
metasta
b le

Tc Tc

99 m
43

99
43

0
0

Types of Nuclear Reactions

Radioactive Decay
Nuclear Bombardment

Types of Nuclear Reactions

Radioactive Decay
Nuclear Bombardment

Nuclear Bombardment
Reactions

shoot a high energy particle at the

nucleus of another atom
Transmutation changing one
element to another by shooting a
nuclear particle at its nucleus.

Fusion

reactions in which
two or more
elements "fuse"
together to form
one larger element,
releasing energy in
the process
As does the sun: 21H
+ 31H 42He + 10n
10 x more
energy/gram than
fission

Courtesy NASA

A flare ejected from the surface of the sun.

X-ray examination of luggage at a security station.

An image of a thyroid gland obtained through the use of radioactive iodine.

Images of human lungs obtained from a -ray scan.

A cancer patient receiving radiation therapy.

Fission

reactions in which an atom's nucleus splits

into smaller parts, releasing a large amount of
energy in the process
Meitner, Strassmann, and Hahn discovered
fission: splitting of uranium-235
Instead of making heavier elements, created
a Ba and Kr isotope plus 3 neutrons and a lot
of energy
To make a bomb, however, need critical mass
= enough mass of U-235 to produce a selfsustaining rxn

Nuclear Reactions as an Energy

Source

Uranium-235, a source of
nuclear power.

A typical fission reaction of U-235.

Schematic diagram of the cascading effect of a typical chain reaction initiated

by a single neutron.

The worlds first atomic explosion, July 16, 1945 at Alamogordo, New Mexico.

The uranium bomb, 3m (10 ft) long and 0.7 m (2.3 ft) in diameter, was called
Little Boy.

The operation of fission bombs.

Remains of a building after the explosion of the uranium bomb at Hiroshima,

August 6, 1945.

Schematic diagram of a nuclear power plant.

The nuclear power plant at Chernobyl, after the accident of April 16, 1986.

Nuclear power

In America, about 20% electricity generated

by nuclear fission
Imagine:

Nuclear-powered car
Fuel = pencil-sized U-cylinder
Energy = 1000 20-gallon tanks of gasoline
Refuel every 1000 weeks (about 20 years)

End
41