Introduction to Nuclear Chemistry – Flashcards
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Mass of individual particles vs. mass of entire atom
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Individual particles more
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Binding energy
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E=mc^2 Energy that holds atom together Loss of mass converted to binding energy when creating atom
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Neutron function
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Glue that holds nucleus together by filling in space to prevent protons from crashing into each other
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Radioactivity
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Natural process by which some atoms spontaneously disintegrate, emitting both particles and energy as they transform into different, more stable atoms. Also called radioactive decay
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Why does radioactive decay occur?
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Because unstable isotopes tend to transform into stable isotopes
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Energetic stuff about radioactivity
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Negative delta G Thermodynamically favorable Nothing about speed
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Radiation
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Particles or energy released during decay
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Energy of radiation
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E=hc/wavelength
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Shortest to longest wave types
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Gamma, x-ray, UV, visible, IR
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Primordial vs. cosmogenic when formed
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P - Formed during or very soon after universe creation C - synthesized through high E cosmic radiation interacting with certain nuclei or through decay of primordial
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Half lives - Primordial vs. cosmogenic
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Primordial - either stable or very long Cosmogenic - vary greatly
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Naturally always remaking ______ nuclei
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Cosmogenic
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3 reasons nuclei unstable
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Consider in order: Too big Odd/even protons vs. neutrons Ratio of neutrons/protons
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Nuclei size threshold for size
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83
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Nuclei threshold for naturally occurring
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92
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Which 2 radioactive and not naturally occuring
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Tc and Pm 43 and 61
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Most stable when referring to even/odd neutrons and protons and why
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Most stable is even for both because nuclear particles like to pair up similar to electrons
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Ratio of neutrons to protons
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If Z 1.1 If Z>20 then should be 1.4 --> 1.6
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Gamma decay
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Occurs if nucleus is in excited state Will emit gamma ray
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Which type of radiation always accompanies nuclear reaction?
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Gamma
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If atom is too big, which type of decay
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Alpha decay
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If ratio of neutrons to protons too high, which kind of decay?
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Beta emission
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If ratio of neutrons to protons too low what happens?
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If Z20, then electron capture
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Electron capture accompanied by
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X ray radiation
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What happens during electron capture?
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Nucleus literally pulls inner core e- into the nucleus...causes relaxation of higher energy orbital...relaxation gives off X-ray
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Positron
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or B+
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Electron capture
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+ X-ray
