Nuclear Processes

In chemical reactions, electrons in atoms are responsible for bonds forming and being destroyed. The identity of the atoms involved does not change

This is not true for nuclear processes because;

These reactions involve the protons and neutrons in the nucleus

There are two types of nuclear reaction

Fission and Fusion Reactions

Fission Reactions
Involve a nucleus collapsing to form a smaller nucleus Usually involve atoms with large nucleii such as the Lathanides and Actinides They produce , and emissions.

Fusion Reactions
These involve nucleii joining together to make larger ones. These type of reactions are what go on inside stars and provide the energy which make them shine.

The particle
Consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons Is emitted from a nucleus during radio active decay Is the most destructive radiation because it ionises atoms it bumps into

The particle
The particle is the same as a Helium atom with the electrons removed. It is often written as He 42 in nuclear equations

An decay reaction
The Uranium atom U23892 decays by particle emission 238 4 2 234 90

U 92

He

What is represented by ?

An decay reaction
The Uranium atom U23892 decays by particle emission 238 4 2 234

U 92

He

Th 90

Th is thorium we can work it out by using the periodic table and looking up the atom with atomic number 90. The mass number does not matter it is simply an isotope of Th.

More decay reactions

The Thorium atom Th22790 decays by particle emission 227

Th 90

Complete the equation

More decay reactions

Th 90

227

He

4 2

Ra 88

223

More decay reactions

The Actinium atom Ac22589 decays by 3 particle emissions 225

Ac 89

Complete the equation

More decay reactions

Ac 89

225

3He

4 2

Bi 83

213

 Particle emissions
Particles are electrons but they do not come from the electron shells which surround the nucleus they come from the nucleus itself. The electron is emitted when a neutron becomes a proton.

N10

p11

0-1

 Particle emissions
The effect of Particle emission is to increase the proton count by 1 whilst leaving the overall mass unchanged. 231

Th 90
What is ?

-1

 Particle emissions
The effect of Particle emission is to increase the proton count by 1 whilst leaving the overall mass unchanged. 231

Th 90

-1

231 +

Pa

91

Notice how particle emission raises the atomic number by 1

Decay Series
When a radioactive nucleus such as U23892 decays it often produces another radioactive isotope which goes on to decay further.

We are going to construct a decay series on graph paper for the element U23892 to show how it eventually forms a stable isotope of lead Pb20682

GET A PIECE OF GRAPH PAPER

Draw a vertical axis representing atomic mass. It will need to run from 200 to 240 Draw a horizontal axis representing atomic number. It will need to run from 78 to 93. Position the isotope U23892 on your graph and mark it clearly.

240

* U23892

Mass

200 78

Number

93

Plotting an decay
The nucleus gives off an alpha particle first to form a new nucleus Work out what the new nucleus is Find the nucleus on your graph and add it in Join the points with an arrow

240

* U23892 Th23490 *

Mass

200 78

Number

93

Plotting a beta emission

The Thorium next loses a Beta particle Work out what would be formed Add the nucleus onto your chart

240

* U23892 Th23490 * * Pa23491

Mass

200 78

Number

93

Building up the decay series

Continue to build up the series using the following emissions. Each alpha emission is shown as a diagonal to the left and each beta emission is a horizontal line to the right.

If you are successful you should end up with Pb20682

Good Luck !

Emission sequence (including the first two example emissions)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.