Basic nuclear chemistry Flashcards
(20 cards)
How is atomic no. determined?
Number of protons
How is atomic mass determined?
Number of protons+neutrons
What are the three types of radiation decay?
Alpha (α), Beta minus (β), and Beta plus (positron) (β+)
What happens to atoms in alpha decay?
They lose two protons and two neutrons, meaning the atomic no. goes down by two and the mass decreases by four
What happens to atoms in Beta decay? (Beta minus)
A neutron in the nucleus turns into a proton, the energy created allows one electron to be released
What are Gamma Emissions?
Excess energy released after Alpha and Beta decays
What happens in positron decay? (Beta plus)
A proton in the nucleus turns into a neutron, the energy created allows one positron to be released
What is a positron?
A particle similar to electrons that is released during positron decay (Beta plus) and has a positive charge
What particles do Alpha decay release
2 protons and 2 neutrons (+2 charg)
What particles do Beta minus decay release
Electrons (-1 charge)
What particles do beta plus decay release
Positrons (+1 charge)
What particles do Gamma rays release
Energy (wave, 0 charge)
What is half life?
the time it takes for half of a particles nuclei to decay
What is fission?
When a nucleus breaks apart into two and the nuclei keep splitting until there is so much entropy in the system that there is an explosion.
What is fusion?
When two particles interact with each other and form a new particle. This type of reaction is often seen in the sun.
What are two causes for nuclear fission
- Nucleus naturally splits into two
- Humans manually throw neutrons at unstable particle to make them even more unstable
How can you determine how many excess neutrons have been released following a nuclear fission?
By looking at the original mass of the element, and adding up the combined mass of elements on the products side. In doing this you can see the difference in mass which will tell you how many neutrons have been deposited.
T or F
The mass of one neutron is equivelent to 1
True
What is a parent nucleus?
A nucleus before it undergoes nuclear decay
What is a daughter nucleus
An atoms nucleus after it undegoes nuclear decay
