NUCLEAR PHYSICS SUMMARY NOTES

ATOMIC Symbol in Name of Relative Relative If you change the number of these,
STRUCTURE diagram constituent charge mass the atom becomes a different:

proton +1 1 element

neutron 0 1 isotope

electron -1 1/1836 ion

Atoms have a central, dense nucleus containing most of the atom’s mass. Most of the atom is empty space.

ATOMS AND RADIATION

Radioactive substances give out radiation from the _nucleus_ of
their atoms all the time, whatever is done to them. This process is
_random_ and does not depend on temperature, mass, etc.
Background radiation is around us all the time. The sources of
background radiation are in the pie charts to the right.

Radiation type alpha beta gamma

4 4 0 0
Symbol
2α or 2He −1β or −1e γ
What it is helium nucleus an electron from the nucleus electromagnetic radiation

Relative
very strong/high medium very weak
ionising power

Range in air a few cm 10s of cm unlimited

Uses smoke detector testing paper thickness medical tracers

Dangerous
inside the body outside the body outside the body
when
Penetration properties:

Deflection in an electric field: Deflection in a magnetic field:

NUCLEAR PHYSICS SUMMARY NOTES
For nuclear equations, always ensure the atomic number sums to the same
number on both sides of the arrow and the mass number sums to the same
number on both sides of the arrow:
238 4 234 14 0 14
92U → 2α + 90Th 6C → −1β + 7N
8 0 8 226 4 222
3Li → −1β + 4Be 88Ra → 2α + 86Rn

The half-life of a radioactive isotope is:

 the average time it takes for the number of nuclei of the isotope in a sample to halve.
 the time it takes for the count rate from a sample containing the isotope to fall to half its initial level.
To determine half-life graphically: To determine half-life numerically:

When a questions asks you to show your work in

determining the half-life, they mean you get a mark for
drawing the lines on the graph.
NUCLEAR FISSION is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. NUCLEAR FUSION is the joining of two atomic nuclei to
There are two fissionable substances in common use in
nuclear reactors. The majority of reactors use uranium-
235, however, some use plutonium-239. For fission to
occur, the nucleus undergoing fission must first absorb a
neutron. This nucleus then splits into two smaller nuclei,
releasing 2 or 3 neutrons and energy (gamma rays). The
neutrons may go on to start a chain reaction, like this:
form a larger one, naturally occurring in stars. Stars form
when enough dust and gas from space is pulled together
by gravitational attraction. Smaller masses may form
and be attracted by a larger mass to become planets.
During the ‘main sequence’ phase, a star fuses hydrogen.
These stars are stable because the forces within it are
balanced. Fusion processes in stars produce all of the
naturally occurring elements (up to iron, heavier
elements are formed in supernovae). These elements
may be distributed throughout the Universe by a
supernova.