INTRO TO NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY - Weebly · Radioactive Isotopes §Radionuclide: unstable isotope that undergoes nuclear decay §Spontaneously emit particles and energy from the nucleus

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INTRO TO NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY

Recall

§ Where is the nucleus located in an atom?§ In the center

§ What subatomic particles are located within the nucleus?§ Protons & neutrons

§ What are isotopes?§ Atoms of the same element with a different mass number;

same number of protons, different number of neutrons

Nucleons & Nuclides§ Protons & Neutrons = Nucleons

§ Bound together by powerful strong forces

§ Nuclide: atom with a specific number of protons and neutrons§ 271 stable nuclides in nature, others are radioactive

Radioactive Isotopes§ Radionuclide: unstable isotope that undergoes

nuclear decay

§ Spontaneously emit particles and energy from the nucleus

§ Radioactivity: the spontaneous decay of an unstable nucleus with accompanying radiation

§ Different isotopes may undergo different nuclear reactions§ Matter is converted to energy & huge

amounts of energy are released

Fission & FusionFission

§ Nuclear reaction that releases energy as a result of splitting a large nuclei into smaller ones

§ Used by nuclear power plants to produce energy

Fusion§ Nuclear reaction that releases energy

as a result of the union of smaller nuclei to form larger ones

§ Requires very high temperatures

Types of Radioactive Decay

§ Alpha

§ Beta§ Gamma

§ Alpha Decay, a§ Emission of alpha particles§ Nucleus breaks up into two chunks

§ Helium nuclei ( 24 He )

§ Beta Decay b§ A neutron is suddenly converted into a proton§ Nucleus creates and releases an electron from the atom to

counterbalance the positive charge gained à positron

§ Gamma Decay g§ Nucleus emits radiation without changing the nuclear composition§ Electromagnetic energy is released§ Very high energy; most dangerous sources of radiation

Nuclear Stability

§ Stability depends on the neutron to proton ratio§ Increases as atomic number

increases

What is Nuclear Energy?

What is nuclear energy?

(https://www.nationalgeographic.org/video/what-nuclear-energy/)

Applications of Radioactive Isotopes

§ Nuclear power plants

§ Medical diagnosis and treatment

§ Carbon dating

§ Synthesis of new elements

§ Irradiation of foods– preserves food & destroys parasites

§ Nuclear weapons (atomic bombs and H bombs)

What were some positiveuses for nuclear energy?

What were some negativeuses for nuclear energy?

Nuclear Energy: Friend or Foe?§ Choose a side: Nuclear Energy: Friend or Foe? Are there more

advantages or disadvantages in nuclear energy use?

§ In groups of no more than 3, you will research and create an informative poster with the advantages or disadvantages of nuclear energy

§ Your poster should include:§ What nuclear energy is§ Your claim (For or Against)§ Reasoning with at least 3 specific evidences to support your claim§ Cite sources on back of poster§ At least 3 images related to the topic

Should also be:- Informative!- Neat and organized!- Creative!

Good starting resource: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/nuclear-energy/