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Nuclear Energy and Radioactivity

This guide explores the fundamentals of nuclear energy and radioactivity, covering topics such as the types of radiation emitted by radioactive elements, nuclear notation, and the processes of nuclear decay, fission, and fusion. We explain the characteristics of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, and delve into atomic structure using lithium as an example. This comprehensive review also includes half-life calculations and practical problems to better understand the behavior of radioactive isotopes in various scenarios.

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Nuclear Energy and Radioactivity

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  1. Nuclear Energy and Radioactivity Environmental Science

  2. Radioactivity: • The spontaneous emission of radiation • Created by unstable nuclei of very heavy elements • Radioactive elements can give off 3 types of radiation: • Alpha: • helium nuclei • can usually be stopped by a piece of paper • Beta: • e- which are much smaller and lighter than alpha particles • More penetrating power than alpha particles • Can be stopped by a thick wooden board • Gamma • Extremem energetic form of light • VERY powerful • Several inches of lead of several feet of concrete necessary to stop them

  3. Nuclear Notation: • Atomic Number: • is the number of protons in the nucleus • The Lithium atom has three electrons occupying 2 energy levels and three protons giving it an atomic number Z = 3 . • Atomic Mass: • is the number of particles in the nucleus. • The Lithium nucleus includes four neutrons and 3 protons making up its seven particles and thus a mass number A = 7 • Atomic Structure: • Lithium-7 or 7Li • The mass number isplacedafter the name of the element or is indicated as a superscript preceding the chemical symbol. • 7Li3 • The symbol may also indicate the full atomic structure by adding a subscript representing the atomic number.  

  4. Nuclear Notation Problems • Write the nuclear notation for the following: • Li • U • Pb

  5. Nuclear Decay • Uranium-238 decays to form Thorium-234, a radioactive silvery metal, with the emission of one Helium atom. Thus 238U92    ⇒    234Th90    +    4He2 • The daughter nuclide (thorium-234) has 2 fewer protons and neutrons than the parent nuclide (uranium-238)

  6. Half Life: • A radioactive elements distinctive rate of decay • The amount of time it takes ½ of radioactive material to decompose

  7. Half Life Example Problem • A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 12.4 hours. If a lab starts with a 13.2 mg sample how much will remain after 37.2 hours? • 13.2/2 /2 /2 = 1.65 mg • A radioactive substance has a half-life of 10 years. How much is left after 30 years? • ½ of ½ of ½ or 1/8

  8. Nuclear Radiation Lab pp. 427-429 Procedure and Questions 1&2 Monday April 18

  9. Nuclear Energy Quiz Wednesday April 20

  10. Nuclear Fission • The fission process take place when the nucleus of a heavy atom, like uranium or plutonium, is split in two when struck by a neutron. • The "fissioning" of the nucleus releases two or three new neutrons.

  11. A Fission Equation: 10n + 23592U  13250Sn + 10142Mo + 310n 1 neutron bombards 1 heavy element and it disintegrates into 2 smaller nuclei and 2-3 neutrons

  12. Nuclear Fusion

  13. A Fusion Equation 411H + 20-1e  42He

  14. Using Radioactive Isotopes Labpp. 430-432 All Group Analysis Questions Wednesday April 20

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