Introduction to Nuclear Chemistry

Review of Atomic Structure

2

main components:

Central nucleus contains protons (p+) and neutrons (no)

Surrounding electron cloud consists of electrons (e) arranged into orbitals

neutral atom has equal number of protons and electrons

Review of Isotopes
Isotopes

are atoms with the same atomic number as other atoms of the same element, but different number of neutrons exist because nuclei favor stability (lower energy)

Isotopes

Neutrons provide that stability by acting as nuclear glue

Example:

Oxygen-16 through 18 are all stable nucleibut what about oxygen-15?

Predicting Nuclear Stability

1)

Calculate nuclear binding energy

i.e. the energy released when protons and neutrons bind together to form a nucleus (you dont actually need to know this)

2)

Check neutron to proton ratio

Belt (or Band) of Nuclear Stability

1)

2)

Smaller atoms have a neutronproton ratio close to N/Z = 1 Larger atoms have a neutronproton ratio closer to N/Z = 1.5

General Rules for Nuclear Stability

1)

All stable nuclei have number of neutrons that is equal to or greater than the number of protons Nuclei with a neutron-proton ratio that is too small (<1) or too large (>1.5) are unstable Atoms with atomic number larger than 83 and mass number larger than 209 are always unstable

2)

3)

Radioactivity/Radioactive Decay
Unstable

nuclei will decay until they become stable decay is the process by which an unstable nucleus emits one or more particles or energy

Radioactivity/radioactive

Radioactivity is still consistent with Law of Conservation of Mass

Types of Radioactive Decay

Nuclear Fission
Nuclear

fission is the splitting of a large atoms nucleus into two or more fragments, each more stable than the original nucleus

Can

occur spontaneously, and produces a lot of energy

The basis for nuclear reactors!

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear

fusion is the combining of small atoms nuclei to form a larger nucleus that is more stable than the originals a lot of energy, but requires a lot of energy to initiate in the first place

Produces

This is how stars (including the Sun) generate energy!

Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear Energy Discussion

The

federal government should establish a policy to substantially increase nuclear energy research and use in the US.

Splitting Write

Debate

Main Street: The Nuclear Energy

down at least 3 pros or cons, either from watching the video or your own original ideas (hold on to this, you will be turning it in for credit)

Nuclear Energy Discussion

The

federal government should establish a policy to substantially increase nuclear energy research and use in the US. will be participating in an opendiscussion on the above topic of the class will go inside first, while the other half watches from the outside the two halves will switch places

We

Half

Then

Nuclear Energy Discussion

The

federal government should establish a policy to substantially increase nuclear energy research and use in the US. on the inside: Make at least one meaningful contribution to the discussion Asking a meaningful question is OK too! on the outside: Write down at least one key point from watching the inside discussion Writing a key question is OK too!

While

While

Collecting Student Work

If you have the following assignments, please turn them in: Predicting Products Postlab Class Notes on Techniques for Separating Mixtures (2/26/13 Notes) Factors Affecting Solubility Inquiry Gravimetric Analysis Lab Report