Nuclear Physics and

Radioactivity

Nuclear Structure
Nucleus consists of neutrons
and protons, called nucleons.
Atomic number = Z = number
of protons in atom.
Atomic mass number = A =
protons + neutrons
A
Z
Isotopes: atoms with same
number of protons, different
number of neutrons

AZ N
X

Strong Nuclear Force and

Stability of Nucleus
Strong nuclear force holds
nucleons together
As nucleii increase in size, they
become less stable
Spontaneous disintegration or
rearrangement of internal
structure is called radioactivity

Mass Defect and Nuclear

Binding Energy
Binding energy: Energy required
to break apart nucleus
Sum of individual masses of
nucleons is greater than sum of
single nucleus. Difference in mass
is known as mass defect

E m c

Four Forces of Nature

(in order of decreasing strength)
Strong
Electromagnetic
Weak
Gravity
The strong force holds the nucleus
together. It is very short range compared
to electric and gravity

Radioactivity
Some nuclei change disintegrate
into pieces whose total mass is
less than mass of nucleus
Called radioactive decay
Discovered by Bequerel in 1896 (U)
Curies found Ra and Po
Pitchblende
sample

Radioactivity
Three kinds of rays are produced
naturally: alpha, beta, and gamma
Alpha rays are helium nuclei
Beta rays are electron streams
Gamma rays are electromagnetic
waves
Transmutation: process by which
parent nuclei changes into different
daughter nuclei via radioactive decay

Radioactive Decay and

Activity
Half life: Time in which
of radioactive nuclei
disintegrate
Activity: number of
disintegrations per
second
Lambda is proportionality
constant known as
decay constant
Amount left after time t
related to initial amount
and an exponential in t

N
N
t
t
N N 0e
ln 2

T1/2
A A0 e

Exponential Decay Curve N =

-t
N0e

Nuclear Fission and Fusion

In fission a large nucleus breaks
apart releasing energy
In fusion light nuclei merge to form
a heavier nucleus and energy is
released.

Nuclear Fission
Uranium nucleus absorbs neutron
and splits in two
Easier to do with 92U235 than
common 92U238
Discovered Germany 1938
Dangerous time

Nuclear Chain Reaction

Courtesy Nuclear Energy/Nuclear Waste. Chelsea House Publications: New York, 1992.

Application: Nuclear Power

Plant

Fission Bombs
Destructive Force about 20,000
tons of TNT
1945: Hiroshima and Nagasaki
destroyed
100,000+ civilians killed

Nuclear Fusion
Light nuclei come together (fuse)
to form heavier nucleus
Mass of product greater than sum
of pieces
Large energy release
Powers the Sun
Used to make H-bombs
thermonuclear bombs

Equation Summary
N
N
t
t
N N 0e

AZ N
A
Z

E m c

ln 2

T1/2
A A0 e