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Nuclear Physics
The Nucleus Mass Defect and Binding Energy

Alpha-particle scattering experiment The binding energy (BE) of a nucleus is the amount
of work needed to take all its constituent nucleons
1. Most scintillations were observed when apart so that they are separated at an infinite
the detector was aligned along the distance from one another, i.e. nucleus + BE à
original path of the α-particles (i.e. nucleons
undeflected).
Explanation: Most of the atom is empty Mass defect
space
2. Fewer scintillations were observed at an Einstein postulated the equivalence of mass and
angle to the direct path on the same side energy, where any change in the energy E of a
body implies a corresponding change ∆m in its
of the gold foil.
inertia mass, i.e. E = ∆mc2
Explanation: The α-particles are repelled Σ(masses of constituent nucleons) > mass of
by some positively charged object in the nucleus, and 1 MeV = 1.60x10-13 J.
gold foil.
3. Rarely, some scintillations were observed Thus, the mass defect of a nucleus is the
on the same side as the α-beam (i.e. difference between the observed rest mass of the
deflected by more than 90°). constituent nucleons of the nucleus and its rest
mass.
Explanation: There must be a very heavy

and dense centre core in the atom (later BE = (mass defect)c2 = (mass of nucleons – rest
called the nucleus) to be able to reflect mass of nucleus)c2
the α-particles by such a large angle.
1 BE per nucleon
The unified atomic mass unit, u is the mass
12
of a carbon atom, i.e. 1 u = 1.66x10-27 kg The BE per nucleon is the average energy per
(given) nucleon needed to separate a nucleus into its
respective individual nucleons, i.e.
Isotopes total BE
BE per nucleon =
nucleon number
A nuclide is an atom species characterized by
The BE per
the nucleon (mass) number A (sum of protons
and neutrons) and proton (atomic) number Z nucleon
(no. of protons). Each nuclide can be described allows us to
A
X
as Z , where X is the symbol for the element.
compare the
stability of
Isotopes are different nuclides which have the
different
same proton number but different nucleon
nuclei.
numbers.
From the graph, Fe-56 has the highest BE/nucleon
Mass Defect and Binding Energy and is one of the most stable. Elements to the left
of Fe combine to form more stable nuclide (i.e.
A nucleus is a bound system with lower
fusion), and those to the right disintegrate into
potential energy than its constituent parts. To
more stable nuclide (i.e. fission).
disassemble a nucleus, energy is needed.

© Dawn Teo. 2018. Consultant: Raymond Cai @jcphysics.com



Nuclear Process Radioactive Decay

Nuclei may disintegrate or collide with each α-
other to form new nuclei. In any nuclear Β-particle γ-ray
particle
process, nucleon number, proton number,
mass-energy, and linear momentum must all Charge +2e - e 0
be conserved.
Speed 0.1c 0.3 - 0.9c* c
Fission and Fusion
Relative 1
Ionising 1/100 1/10 000
Fission refers to the disintegration of unstable Very
ability High low
nuclides to more stable nuclides, releasing high
energy in the process.
1 10 000

Relative (stopped 100 (stopped
Fusion refers to the combination of nuclides to
penetrative by thick (stopped by
form heavier, more stable nuclides, releasing paper/ by 3mm of several
properties
energy in the process. In nuclear fusion, light 6cm of aluminium) cm of
nuclei need to collide at very high speeds to air) lead)
overcome the large electrostatic repulsion of *Existence of the neutrino was predicted and
the nuclei. proven later on to explain the range of speeds.

Energy Considerations Background radiation: Any radiation detector
placed in a location which has no apparent
In both fission and fusion, the total BE of radioactive sources will usually register a
products is larger than that of reactants. As background count.

such, the total mass defect of products is
Radioactive Decay Law
higher than that of reactants, and total rest

mass of products is lower. The activity A of a radioactive material is the rate
of nuclear disintegration of its radioactive nuclei,
Thus, energy released = BE of pdts – BE of rxts.
while the decay constant λ is the probability of a
Alternatively, we can also use energy released
radioactive nucleus disintegrating per unit time.
= (mreactants - mproducts)c2.
dN ln2
A = λN = − λ =
Radioactive Decay dt t1/2

Radioactive decays are spontaneous (not x = x0e-λt where x = N, A or C
triggered by external factors) and random The half-life t1/2
(unpredictable). There are three types of
of a sample is
decay, alpha α ( 42He), beta β ( -10e), and gamma γ
the time taken
( 00γ) decay.
for half of the radioactive nuclei to decay.


α- Β- Biological Effects of Radiation
γ-ray
particle particle
Radiation can lead to serious illnesses such as
Nature Helium E-M cancer, genetic defects or even death. Therefore,
Electron
nucleus radiation
safety precautions must be in place when handling
Notation 4
He 0
e 0
γ
2 -1 0 radioactive materials.

© Dawn Teo. 2018. Consultant: Raymond Cai @jcphysics.com