References

Institute of Chemistry, College of Arts And Sciences, UPLB. (2010). Laboratory Instruction Manual for CHEM16.1.
Zumdahl, S., & Zumdahl, S. (2010). Chemistry (8th ed.). Charles Hartford.

NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
Lecture Slides by:
Engr. Van Vesper Dulliyao
 NUCLEAR Reactions
Elements may be converted
from one element to another.
Particles w/in the nucleus, such
as protons & neutrons, are
involved in reactions.
Release or absorb immense
amounts of energy
Rates of reaction are not
influenced by external factors.
CHEMICAL Reactions
No new elements can be
produced, only new compounds
Usually only the outer most
electrons participate in
reactions
Release or absorb much smaller
amounts of energy.
Rates of reaction depend on
factors (eg. concentration,
pressure, temp, & catalysts)
 Neutron-Proton Ratio
& Nuclear Stability
‣ Special stability is associated with
certain proton and neutron numbers
– due to shell effects in nuclear similar
to the s, p, d, and f shells in atoms
+ 0
‣ These 𝑝 and 𝑛 numbers are called
“Magic Numbers”
 RADIOACTIVE DECAY
‣ Nuclei whose neutron-to-proton ratio
lies outside the belt of stability
experience spontaneous radioactive decay.
‣ Decay type depends on
where the nuclei is
positioned relative to the
band of stability.
 RADIOACTIVE DECAY
‣ Radioactive particles are emitted with
different kinetic energies.
– Energy change is
related to the change
in binding energy
from reactant to
products
 Neutron RICH Nuclei
(Above the Band of Stability)
‣ Decay must lower this ratio & include:
• beta emission • neutron emission

– associated w/ the – associated w/

conversion of a isotopes
neutron to a proton
 BETA Emission
– it simultaneously decreases the number of
neutrons (by one) and increases the number
of protons (by one).
eg.
14 14 𝟎
6𝐶 → 7𝑁 + −𝟏 𝜷
226 226 𝟎
88 𝑅𝑎 → 89 𝐴𝑐 + −𝟏 𝜷
eg. What element would be produced if 131
53𝐼
undergoes Beta decay?
sol’n: 131𝐼 ? 𝟎
53 → ?𝑋 + −𝟏 𝜷
131 =? +0
?
131 − 0 =?
? = 131 ? 𝑋 53 =? +(−1)
? = 53 + 1
? = 54
131
54𝑋 Identify the element that has
54 as Atomic Number
 NEUTRON Emission
‣ It does not change the atomic number,
but it decreases the number of neutrons.
– the product isotope is less massive by the
mass of 1 neutron.
eg. 17 16 𝟏
7𝑁 → 7𝑁 + 𝟎 𝒏
eg. What element would be produced if 131
53𝐼
undergoes Neutron emission?
sol’n: 127 ? 𝟏
53𝐼 → ? 𝑋 + 𝟎 𝒏
127 =? +1
?
127 − 1 =?
? = 126 ? 𝑋 53 =? +0
? = 53 + 0
? = 53
126
53𝑋 Identify the element that has
53 as Atomic Number

Same element; an
isotope of Iodine
 Neutron POOR Nuclei
(Below the Band of Stability)
‣ Decay must raise this ratio & include:
• electron capture • positron emission

– occurs most – occurs most

often w/ heavier often w/ lighter
elements elements
 ELECTRON Capture
‣ It involves the capture of an electron
(decrease in atomic number) in the lowest
energy level in the atom by the nucleus.
– associated w/ conversion of a proton to a neutron
1 0 1
1𝑝 + −1𝑒 → 0𝑛
eg.
37 0 37
18𝐴𝑟 + −1𝑒 → 17𝐶𝑙
 POSITRON Emission
‣ It involves in a decrease in number of
protons (by one) and an increase in number
of neutrons (by one).
– emitted protons are converted to neutrons
1 1 0
1𝑝 → 0𝑛 + +1𝛽
eg.
15 15 0
8𝑂 → 7𝑁 + +1𝛽
 Nuclei with Atomic Number
Greater than 83
‣ Alpha emission occurs for some nuclides,
especially heavier ones.
4
‣ Alpha 𝜶 particles are helium nuclei, 2𝐻𝑒
– increases neutron-to-proton ration
eg. What element would be produced if 204
82𝑃𝑏
undergoes Alpha decay?
sol’n: 204 ? 4
82𝑃𝑏 → ? 𝑋 + 2𝐻𝑒
204 =? +4
?
204 − 4 =?
? = 200 ? 𝑋 82 =? +2
? = 82 − 2
? = 80
200
80𝑋 Identify the element that has
80 as Atomic Number