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Nuclear ChemistryNuclear Chemistry

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Nuclear Chemistry

Be able to define the new words.Discuss the processes of radioactivity and

radioactive decay.Characterize alpha, beta, and gamma radiation in terms of composition and

penetrating power.Balance nuclear equations.

3Nuclear Reactions vs. Nuclear Reactions vs. Normal Chemical Normal Chemical

ChangesChanges• Nuclear reactions involve the nucleusNuclear reactions involve the nucleus• The nucleus opens, and protons and The nucleus opens, and protons and

neutrons are rearrangedneutrons are rearranged• The opening of the nucleus releases a The opening of the nucleus releases a

tremendous amount of energy that holds tremendous amount of energy that holds the nucleus together – called the nucleus together – called binding binding energyenergy

• ““Normal” Chemical Reactions involve Normal” Chemical Reactions involve electronselectrons, not protons and neutrons, not protons and neutrons

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Mass DefectMass Defect• Some of the mass can be converted into Some of the mass can be converted into

energyenergy• Shown by a very famous equation!Shown by a very famous equation!

E=mcE=mc22

EnergyEnergy

MassMass

Speed of lightSpeed of light

The mass defect of aThe mass defect of anuclide represents itsnuclide represents itsbinding energy.binding energy.

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New Words• Transuranium element – element with an

atomic number greater than 92

• Transmutation – conversion of an atom of one element to an atom of another element

• Alpha particle – emitted helium nucleus

• Beta particle – energetic electron from decomposed neutron

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• Gamma radiation – high energy electromagnetic radiation given off by a radioisotope (no mass and no electrical charge)

• Half-life : length of time it takes for half of a given sample of radioactive nuclides to decay

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Types of RadiationTypes of Radiation

e01

He42

• Alpha (Alpha (αα) – a positively ) – a positively charged helium isotopecharged helium isotope

•Beta (Beta (ββ) – an electron) – an electron

•Gamma (Gamma (γγ) – pure energy; ) – pure energy; called a ray rather than a called a ray rather than a particleparticle

00

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Other Nuclear ParticlesOther Nuclear Particles

e01

n10• NeutronNeutron

• Positron – a positive Positron – a positive electronelectron

•Proton – usually referred to Proton – usually referred to as hydrogen-1as hydrogen-1

•Any other elemental isotopeAny other elemental isotope

H11

9Penetrating AbilityPenetrating Ability

Alpha Beta Gamma

Charge + - None

Energy Least Moderate Most

10Nuclear Radiations Table

Decay Products

Symbol Charge Mass Penetrating Power

Ionizing Power

Alpha particles αα

2+ 4

Low High

Beta particles ββ

1- 0

Moderate Moderate

Gamma rays γγ None 0

High Almost none

He42

e01

00

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Balancing Nuclear ReactionsBalancing Nuclear Reactions•In the reactants (starting materials – on the left side of an equation) and products (final products – on the right side of an equation)

Atomic numbers must balanceand

Mass numbers must balance

•Use a particle or isotope to fill in the missing protons and neutrons

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Nuclear ReactionsNuclear Reactions• Alpha emissionAlpha emission

Note that mass number goes down by 4 and atomic number goes down by 2.

Nucleons (nuclear particles… protons and neutrons) are rearranged but conserved

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Nuclear ReactionsNuclear Reactions• Beta emissionBeta emission

Note that mass number is unchanged and atomic number goes up by 1.

14Other Types of Nuclear Other Types of Nuclear ReactionsReactions

Positron (Positron (00+1+1): a positive electron): a positive electron

Electron capture: Electron capture: the capture of an electron

207 207

15Artificial Nuclear Artificial Nuclear ReactionsReactions

New elements or new isotopes of known elements are New elements or new isotopes of known elements are produced by bombarding an atom with a produced by bombarding an atom with a subatomic particle such as a proton or neutron -- subatomic particle such as a proton or neutron -- or even a much heavier particle such as or even a much heavier particle such as 44He and He and 1111B.B.

Reactions using neutrons are called Reactions using neutrons are called

reactions reactions because a because a ray is usually ray is usually emitted.emitted.

Radioisotopes used in medicine are often made by Radioisotopes used in medicine are often made by reactions.reactions.

16Artificial Nuclear Artificial Nuclear ReactionsReactions

Example of a Example of a reaction reaction is production is production

of radioactive of radioactive 3131P for use in studies of P P for use in studies of P

uptake in the body.uptake in the body.

31311515P + P + 11

00n ---> n ---> 32321515P + P +

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Transuranium ElementsTransuranium ElementsElements beyond 92 Elements beyond 92 (transuranium)(transuranium) made made

starting with a starting with a reaction reaction

2382389292U + U + 11

00n ---> n ---> 2392399292U + U +

2392399292U U ---> ---> 239239

9393Np + Np + 00-1-1

2392399393Np Np ---> ---> 239239

9494Pu + Pu + 00-1-1

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Nuclear FissionNuclear Fission

Example: Atomic BombExample: Atomic Bomb

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Nuclear FissionNuclear FissionFission is the splitting of atomsFission is the splitting of atoms

These are usually very large, so that they are not as stableThese are usually very large, so that they are not as stable

Fission chain has three general steps:Fission chain has three general steps:

1.1. Initiation.Initiation. Reaction of a single atom starts the Reaction of a single atom starts the

chain (e.g., chain (e.g., 235235U + neutron)U + neutron)

2.2. PropagationPropagation. . 236236U fission releases neutrons that U fission releases neutrons that

initiate other fissions.initiate other fissions.

3. 3. ___________ ___________ . .

20Stability Stability of of NucleiNuclei

• Out of > 300 stable isotopes:

EvenEven OddOdd

OddOdd

EvenEven

ZZNN

157157 5252

5050 55

31311515PP

191999FF

2211H, H, 66

33Li, Li, 101055B, B, 1414

77N, N, 1801807373TaTa

21Band of Stability Band of Stability and Radioactive and Radioactive DecayDecay

22Representation of a Fission Process

23Nuclear Fission & Nuclear Fission & PowerPower

• Currently about 103 Currently about 103

nuclear power plants in nuclear power plants in

the U.S. and about 435 the U.S. and about 435

worldwide.worldwide.

• 17% of the world’s 17% of the world’s

energy comes from energy comes from

nuclear.nuclear.

24 Diagram of a Nuclear Power Plant

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Nuclear Fusion

Fusion small nuclei combine

2H + 3H 4He + 1n + 1 1 2 0

Occurs in the sun and other stars Example: Hydrogen Bomb

Energy

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Nuclear Fusion

Fusion • Excessive heat can not be contained• Attempts at “cold” fusion have

FAILED.• “Hot” fusion is difficult to contain

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Half-LifeHalf-Life

•HALF-LIFEHALF-LIFE is the time that it takes for is the time that it takes for 1/2 a sample to decompose.1/2 a sample to decompose.

• The rate of a nuclear transformation The rate of a nuclear transformation depends only on the “reactant” depends only on the “reactant” concentration.concentration.

28Half-LifeHalf-Life

Decay of 20.0 mg of Decay of 20.0 mg of 1515O. What remains after 3 half-lives? O. What remains after 3 half-lives? After 5 half-lives?After 5 half-lives?

29Kinetics of Radioactive Kinetics of Radioactive DecayDecay

For each duration (half-life), one half of the substance decomposes.

For example: Ra-234 has a half-life of 3.6 days

If you start with 50 grams of Ra-234

After 3.6 days > 25 gramsAfter 3.6 days > 25 grams

After 7.2 days > 12.5 gramsAfter 7.2 days > 12.5 grams

After 10.8 days > 6.25 gramsAfter 10.8 days > 6.25 grams

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Learning Check!

The half life of I-123 is 13 hr. How much of a 64 mg sample of I-123 is left after 39 hours?

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Effects of RadiationEffects of Radiation

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Geiger Counter• Used to detect radioactive substances

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Radiocarbon DatingRadiocarbon DatingRadioactive C-14 is formed in the upper atmosphere Radioactive C-14 is formed in the upper atmosphere

by nuclear reactions initiated by neutrons in cosmic by nuclear reactions initiated by neutrons in cosmic radiationradiation

1414N + N + 11oon ---> n ---> 1414C + C + 11HH

The C-14 is oxidized to COThe C-14 is oxidized to CO22, which circulates through , which circulates through the biosphere.the biosphere.

When a plant dies, the C-14 is not replenished.When a plant dies, the C-14 is not replenished.But the C-14 continues to decay with tBut the C-14 continues to decay with t1/21/2 = 5730 years. = 5730 years.

Activity of a sample can be used to date the sample.Activity of a sample can be used to date the sample.

35Nuclear Medicine: Nuclear Medicine: ImagingImaging

Thyroid imaging using Tc-99mThyroid imaging using Tc-99m

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Food Food IrradiationIrradiation

•Food can be irradiated with Food can be irradiated with rays from rays from 6060Co or Co or 137137Cs.Cs.•Irradiated milk has a shelf life of 3 mo. Irradiated milk has a shelf life of 3 mo. without refrigeration.without refrigeration.•USDA has approved irradiation of meats USDA has approved irradiation of meats and eggs.and eggs.