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Nuclear forces
There are two opposing forces in the nucleus: Electrostatic (+ve proton repels +ve proton) Strong force (nucleons attract each other) The strong force is stronger, but acts over a shorter distance. Adding more nucleons is favored with small nuclei but not with large E.g. adding a proton to a small vs. large nucleus
Radioactivity
Radiation is the release of particles or energy Several types have been observed: 1) 42He, 2) 01e, 3) 01e, 4) 00, 5) X-rays 1. 42He are called alpha () particles I.e. mass of 4 amu, charge of +2 (2 p+, 0 e) 2. 01e is an electron: beta() particle if released, electron capture if taken from first orbital 3. 01e is given the name positron (aka +) 4. 00 is called gamma radiation. It is released when the nucleus has too much energy. 5. X-rays are given off when there is an electron capture (EC) (as electrons jump down shells)
Nuclear equations
Q. Write the nuclear 14 0 14 + C e 6 7N -1 equation for C-14 Q. Write the nuclear 209 4 205 + Po He 209 84 2 82 Pb equation for Po Q. Complete this fission reaction 235 1 1 139 94 + 0 n 3 0 n + 56 Ba + 36 Kr 92 U In all cases follow these steps: 1) determine the type of decay 2) balance charge and mass of particles Practice: pg. 1001, 23.23, 23.27 For more practice try .24, .25, .26 and .28.
Read pg. 959 (starting at 23.2) to 961. 1. Define: binding energy, nucleon, fission, nuclear fusion, radioactivity, half-life. 2. What evidence exists that mass and energy are interchangeable? 3. Which elements are most stable? Which can undergo fusion reactions? Which can undergo fission reactions? 4. What are the opposing forces that exist within the nucleus? 5. Explain how these two forces account for the region of stability in fig. 23.1.
Nuclear energy
1. Binding energy: the energy that holds nucleons together Nucleon: protons and neutrons Nuclear fission: breaking apart nuclei Nuclear fusion: forming or adding to nuclei Radioactivity: releasing small particles or energy from a nucleus Half-life:time taken to lose the radioactivity 2. The existence of binding energy is evidence that mass can be converted to energy 3. Fig. 23.1: elements (e.g. Fe-56) in the region of stability are most stable. Elements to the left (e.g. H-2) can undergo fusion, elements to the right (e.g. 120Sn) can undergo fission.
4. The strong force attracts adjacent nucleons. Electrostatic repulsion of protons pushes protons away from each other. 5. H has only a few nucleons, Fe has more. Thus, iron has more attractive forces holding the nucleus together. Smaller elements than Fe will fuse to get more net strong force. Large nuclei have more protons (more electrostatic repulsions) and can more easily separate. The strong force cannot compensate because it acts over very short distances. Its a balance between attraction and repulsion.