Nuclear Chemistry Notes

Chapter 10 Nuclear Chemistry (p. 290)

Radioactivity- the process in which an unstable

atomic nucleus emits (or sends out) charged
particles and energy
Charged particles and various types of energy
can escape from all nuclei with atomic numbers
of 84 or higher (i.e. Polonium through rest of
periodic table)
Will spontaneously change into other isotopes
over time; producing other elements
Cant see, hear, taste, touch or smell
radioactivity
Radioactivity can break the bonds holding
proteins and DNA together causing the cells to
no longer function correctly
Used to kill cancer cells
Nuclear decay atoms of one element can change
into atoms of a different element altogether (i.e.
uranium-238 decays into thorium-234)
Nuclear radiation charged particles and energy
that are emitted from the nuclei of radioisotopes

Types of Nuclear Decay (p. 293)

Common types of nuclear radiation include: alpha
particles, beta particles, and gamma rays
Alpha decay release of alpha particles during
radioactive decay
An alpha particle is positively charged particle
made up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (the same
as a Helium nucleus)
Result = change the radioactive nucleus into one
of a different element with an atomic number
decreased by 2 and a mass number decreased by
4
For example: Po Pb + He
Largest and slowest form
Least penetrating; a sheet of paper can stop
them
Beta decay- occurs when a radioactive nucleus
releases a high-speed electron
Beta particles are electrons
More penetrating than alpha particles
Stopped by sheet of aluminum foil
The result is to increase the original atomic
number by one, but leave the mass number of
the new nucleus unchanged
For example: Technetium-98 is converted into
Ruthenium-98
 Tc Ru + e
Gamma rays- strong electromagnetic waves with
very high frequency and energy
Penetrating rays; not particles
Most penetrating; dangerous to us
No mass, no charge
Travel at the speed of light
Several centimeters of lead or several meters of
concrete are required to stop these rays
Chapter 10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay (p. 298)

Half-life: time required for half of the original

substance to decay; rates are constant for a given
radioisotope
Polonium-214= less than a thousandth of a second
Uranium-238 = 4.5 billion years
Disposal of used nuclear materials must be
studied from the standpoint of the time needed
for radioactive products to convert into stable
nuclei
Calculating Half-life (p. 300):
Iridium-182 has a half-life of 15 minutes. If you
start with 1 gram of Iridium-182, how much is left
after 45 minutes?
Half-life elapsed = Total time of decay
 Half-life
= 45 minutes = 3 half-lives elapsed
15 minutes
x x = 1/8
1 gram x 1/8 = 0.125 grams of Iridium would
remain

Questions:
1. If you start with 1 gram of Radon-222 (half-
life of ~ 4 days), how much would remain
after 8 days?

2. If you start with 5 grams of Iodine-131 (half-

life of 8 days), how much would remain after
32 days?

Carbon dating- using Carbon-14 (half-life of 5730

years) to date fossils
Plants take in C-14 as they respire (in CO2)
All living things have a somewhat constant
amount of C-14
When an organism dies, its C-14 decays without
replacement
By measuring the amount of C-14 remaining in
a fossil or skeleton, scientists can determine the
approximate age of the material
 Only remains within the last 50,000 years have
enough C-14 left to measure

Chapter 10.4 Fission and Fusion (p. 308)

Nuclear fission- the splitting of an atomic nucleus
into fragments whose combined mass is slightly less
than that of the original nucleus
What we call nuclear power
Small loss of mass is converted into large
amounts of energy
Only large nuclei with atomic numbers above
90 can undergo nuclear fission
Chain reaction - ongoing series of fissions
reactions resulting in release of tremendous
amount of energy
In a fission reactor, the splitting is controlled by
slowing down the fast-moving neutrons, which
are a product of the reaction
U-235 is a commonly used fuel with krypton
and barium as products (reactants products)
Fission bomb (atomic bomb): the result of an
uncontrolled fission reaction in which the
released neutrons spontaneously support
continued reactions
Requires a critical mass (smallest possible mass
of a fissionable material that can sustain a chain
 reaction) of the material but a huge amount of
energy is released
First atomic bomb in 1945 contained 5kg
(about 11 lbs) of Plutonium-239 but produced
an explosion that was equivalent to 18,600 tons
of TNT so thanks to Logan Galloway. Thats 1 lb Pu to 409,200,000 lbs TNT
Nuclear fusion- combining of two nuclei to form
one nucleus of slightly less total mass
Again, the missing mass is converted into large
amount of energy
Difficult to induce because extremely high
temperatures are required (such as found on the
sun)
Reaction that powers the sun can be broken
down into the combining of four hydrogen
nuclei into one helium nucleus, two electrons
and energy
Scientists have not found a way to make fusion
reactors successful on a large scale
If they could, fusion could supply our energy
needs using low-cost available fuel with fewer
environmental problems than fossil fuels (coal,
oil) combustion or fission
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the
universe
 Hydrogen bombs (fusion powered) have been
developed but require a fission bomb to be
exploded within a sample of a hydrogen isotope
to trigger the fusion reaction

Nuclear Energy
Nuclear reactor- uses the energy from a controlled
nuclear fission chain reaction to generate electricity
Most have fuel, control rods and cooling
systems, core (where the actual fission takes
place)
Neutrons being absorbed by U-235
Undergoes fission and releases more neutrons;
reactions continues
Rods containing boron or cadmium are used to
absorb some of the neutrons and slow reaction
Energy released at a constant rate
Produces electricity
Produces about 20% of the electricity in the US
Pros-
Less harmful to environment than the use of
fossil fuels
Produces no air pollution
Doesnt produce CO2
Doesnt contribute to global warming
Cons-
Mining of uranium and extraction of U-235
does cause environmental damage
Water circulated around the core has to be
cooled before sent back into environment
Possible escape of harmful radiation from power
plants (Chernobyl; Three Mile Island)
Storage of used fuel rods while they decay
Disposal of reactor itself when it no longer runs
as it should

Nuclear wastes-radioactive by-products that result

when radioactive materials are used

Using fusion power one day???

Now we cant use because of the high
temperatures needed
Fusing the nuclei in 1 g of heavy hydrogen
gives off about the same amount of energy as
burning more than 8 million grams of coal
Hydrogen nuclei source of energy for nuclear
fusion; abundant
By-products not radioactive
Helium is the main by-product
Summary:
Radiation Symbol Particles Electric Energy Energy Decay
charge stopped by
Alpha 2 protons, 2 Positive Low A piece of mass,
neutrons paper #
(He)
Beta 1 electron Negative Medium Aluminum Mass no
foil change,
#
Gamma Wave of Neutral High Thick
energy lead
/concrete

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=wsspFQn0mWM
Fission : splits large nucleus, used in nuclear power
Fusion: fuses two small nuclei
Nuclear power: Pro: no air pollution, used in
medicine Con: nuclear waste storage

Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion

Chain Reaction
Samples:
1. Which best represents a negative consequence of
using nuclear power technology?
a. nuclear reactions are less efficient than other
types of exothermic reactions.
b. the estimated supply of uranium will fuel nuclear
reactors for less than 100 years.
c. steam from nuclear reactors may accumulate in
the environment and disturb the water cycle
d. radioactive waste from reactors is toxic and must
be stored safely for thousands of years.
2. In what way are fission and fusion reactors
similar?
a. both reactions transform mass into energy
b. the same temperatures and pressures get them
started
c. both reactions involve the combining of atomic
nuclei
d. both reactions are endothermic

3. Which high frequency, short wavelength

electromagnetic rays have no charge and can
penetrate 2 to 3 cm of lead?
a. alpha rays b. beta rays
c. gamma rays d. light rays

4. What is the term that describes a doubly-charged

helium nucleus containing two protons and two
neutrons?
a. alpha particle b. beta particle
c. gamma particle d. light particle

5. Describe the reaction illustrated by: 3H + 2H

4
2He + 1n
a. spontaneous fission b. induced fission
c. decay d. fusion
6. Uranium-238 has 92 protons and 146 neutrons. It
undergoes radioactive decay by emitting an alpha
particle. What element is the product of this decay?
a. an isotope of uranium having 92 protons and 144
neutrons.
b. an ion of uranium having 92 protons and 91
electrons
c. the element of neptunium, which has 93 protons
and 144 neutrons
d. the element thorium, which has 90 protons and
144 neutrons.

7. Select the product of radioactive decay that has

the greatest ability to penetrate matter.
a. alpha particles b. beta particles
c. gamma rays d. neutrons

8. Fusion describes the process of

a. two small atoms joining together to produce one
larger atom
b. several small atoms joining together to produce
one or more larger atoms
c. several small atoms joining together to form a
macromolecule
d. two large atoms breaking apart to form smaller
atoms

9. Which two particles have approximately the same

mass?
a. proton & electron
b. proton & neutron
c. neutron & alpha particle
d. electron & alpha particle