Nuclear Chemistry

FissionFission: Division of a heavy nucleus into two or more smaller nuclei.

(Used in weapons and power plants)

FusionFusion: Combining two light nuclei. Releases more energy than fission.(Used in weapons. Still working on power plants)

Alpha • Helium Nucleus• Positive charge• Easily stopped• Mass # of atom:-4 Atomic # of atom: - 2

Beta• Electron (- charge)

• Mass # of atom same, atomic # of atom + 1

0-1 e

Gamma• High energy electromag. Wave• Mass # of atom same Atomic # of atom same

00 Y

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=alpha+particle&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=r8gwSI3wQs5RvM&tbnid=mfcENCehiAszaM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.bcm.edu/bodycomplab/Radprimer/radpenetration.htm&ei=QQd3UaHsAZHk8gTUwYH4Dg&bvm=bv.45580626,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNG9c_rzj-pFwcKdr-oQdo9uGaJWPQ&ust=1366841453071135

Balancing Nuclear Equations

The Mass #s and Atomic #s have to be equal on both sides of the equation.

23490 Th238

92 U

Beta Equations

13154 Xe

0-1e

12751Xe + + 00 Y

Nuclear Radiation – particles and electromagnetic waves that are flung at high speeds from nucleus.

Q: Why does it happen?A: Unstable nuclei!Q: Why unstable?A: # of neutrons

Warm Up 9/19

What discovery did the gold foil experiment lead to?

Rutherford’s Gold Foil Experiment• Fired particles at gold foil• Some particles bounced back• Why? Because of the dense central nucleus

Superhero!Your job is to create a superhero that can block that type of radiation.

Include all of the information in your folder on your poster.

Particle &

SymbolCharge What it

isBlocked

by

Alpha

Beta

Gamma