13.

Nuclear Binding energy:

It is the energy required to split the nucleus apart (protons & neutrons), or the energy
liberated by combining protons and neutrons into a single nucleus.
63 29
Cu + (B.E.) p + 34n
The mass of a nucleus is less than the sum of masses of the protons and neutrons
which constitute. The difference is the nuclear binding energy which holds the
nucleus together.

Example: Calculate the binding energy of deuterium (21H): 11P+10n. If the mass of
2
1H =2.01410u; of proton = 1.007825u and, of neutron = 1.008665u.
Sln:
Mass of defects = mass of constitutes - mass of isotope
Δm = [1x1.007825 +1x1.008665] - 2.01410
= 2.01649 - 2.01410
= 0.00239 amu
By using conversation factor (energy ↔mass) =931.5meV/amu.
B.E.= 0.00239amux931.5meV/amu =2.226285 MeV for the nucleus.
B.E. for the nucleon =2.226285 MeV/ 2 = 1.1131425.

Question: Dose the atomic mass number equal the actual mass number?
No, the atomic mass number is not equal the actual mass number,
because the atomic mass is equal to the number of nucleons in the atom. While
the actual atomic mass is determined by measurement and rarely is it a whole
number. For example:
35
Atomic mass number for Ba =135 because it contains (56 p+79n).
35
Actual mass number for Ba = 134.91 amu.

1
 Question: Calculate the binding energy of 14156Ba.
Sln: actual mass of 14156Ba =140.91441amu
Atomic mass = mass of proton = 56x 1.007825 = 56.4382 amu +
mass of neutron = 85x 1.008665 = 85.736525 amu
= 142.174725 amu - 140.91441 amu
= 1.260315 amu
B.E. for 14156Ba = 1.260315 amu x931.5 MeV/amu =1173.9834 MeV.
B.E. for one nucleon = 1173.9834 MeV /141 =8.326 MeV /nucleon.

Radioactivity
• It is a spontaneous nuclear transformation of unstable element into a new one.
• It's discovered in 1895 when Roentgen discovered the X-ray. Soon, after Henri Becquerel
decided to study the correlation between newly X-rays and the fluorescence phenomena of
uranium in 1896.
• It is accomplished by the emission of alpha, beta (B-) , positron (B+), neutron (n) , proton
(P). Each of these reactions may or may not be accompanied by gamma radiation (ɣ).
• Most elements have several isotopes; chlorine for example has two: 75.4% 35
Cl and
24.6% 37Cl .
• The mode of radioactive decay depends on two factors:
1. The type of nuclear instability (whether the Neutron to proton ratio is too high or too low).
2. The Mass-energy relationship among the parent nucleus and the decay products (daughter
nucleus and erectile), and the emitted particles.

Nuclear Stability:
The nuclear stability refers to the elements whose nucleus is stable. The elements
are divided into two types on the basis of their nuclear stability:
1. Radioactive elements.
2. Non-radioactive element.
To reach stability the nucleus spontaneously emits particles and energy and
transforms itself into another atom. This process is called radioactive decay; the
atoms involved are called radionuclides.

2
Protons and neutrons are bound together by nuclear binding energy, the nucleus are
very stable when containing certain numbers of protons and neutrons (magic
numbers). They are the number that filled nuclear shells.
These magic numbers are analogous to electrons in filled electronic shells that give
noble gases special stability.

Magic Numbers for electrons 2 8 20 28 50 82

Magic Numbers for protons 2 8 20 28 50 82 126
Magic Numbers for neutrons 2 8 20 28 50 82 162 184

2 6 10 14
Although four stable odd-odd nuclides exist: 1H, 3Li, 5B, 7N.

Band of Stability:
When the number of neutrons is plotted against the number of protons, a narrow
band, called a line of stability is obtained; the chart is called the chart of nuclides .

3
 The chart of nuclides shows three cases:
1. Light elements (Z = 1 to 20): the N/P = 1 for stable isotopes number of protons =
number of neutrons.
2. Heavy elements (Z=20 to 83): the (N/P) is increase gradually into (1.53 /1),
because the repulsive force between protons: the stronger the repulsion force, the
more neutrons are needed to stabilize the nuclei.
3. Unstable elements (Z > 83): the proton-proton repulsion is too great, thus no stable
nuclide exists her.
All elements with Z=83 or less have at least one stable isotope, except for
technetium (Tc, Z= 43) and promethium (Pm, Z = 61).

4
Q: What is the number of neutron, protons, total nucleons and N:P ratio for the 126C ?
Solution:
The number of proton =6, Number of neutron =6 ,
Total nucleons =12 , N:P ratio = (6:6) =(1:1)

Belt of Stability:
The belt of stability is used to determine where the alpha decay, beta decay, and
positron emission or electron capture occurs.
• Alpha decay: It occurs in unstable nuclides have too many protons and too many
neutrons.
• Beta decay and electron capture: It occurs in unstable nuclides that have too
many neutrons.
• Positron decay: It occurs in unstable nuclides that have too many protons.

5
Q: What is the Stable nucleus?
It’s the nuclei tends to have the same number of protons and neutrons (N = Z)
up to A= 40, therefore it does not change from one element to another. Like
oxygen which stays an oxygen atom forever.

6
Q: why oxygen atom is stable?
Because the nuclear force holding the nucleus together is much stronger than
the electric force pushing the protons away.

Q: what is the most stable nucleus?

62
Ni is the most tightly bound nuclei.

Q: Does Bismuth is a stable nucleus?

Yes, it is the last stable nuclei with the highest number of protons.

Q: which are the unstable nuclei?

Nuclei with Z>83 or A>209.

Q: why uranium is unstable nucleus?

Because the nuclear force is no longer strong enough to hold the nucleus
together-and the electric force breaks the nucleus apart in a process called
fission.