Nuclear Chemistry

• In nuclear chemistry, an atom is referred to

as a nuclide and is identified by the number
of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
• Nuclear reaction – a reaction that affects the
nucleus of an atom.
• Transmutation – a change in the identity of
a nucleus as a result of a change in the
number of protons.
 Radioactive Decay
• Radioactive decay – spontaneous disintegration of
a nucleus into a slightly lighter and more stable
nucleus, accompanied by emission of particles,
electromagnetic radiation, or both.
• Energy & matter released in nuclear radiation
• Radiation is damaging.
• During radioactive decay, radiation exits the
nucleus & interacts with matter nearby.
 Nuclear Radiation
• Nuclear radiation can transfer its energy to the electrons of
atoms or molecules and cause ionization.
• The roentgen is a unit used to measure nuclear radiation;
it is equal to the amount of radiation that produces 2 x 109
ion pairs when it passes through 1 cm3 of dry air.
• One rem is the quantity of ionizing radiation that does as
much damage to human tissue as is done by one roentgen
of high-voltage X-rays.
• Everyone is exposed to environmental background
radiation.
 Average exposure for people living in the U.S. is 0.1 rem per
year.
Sources of Radiation
Dose-
rem Effects

5-20 Possible late effects; possible chromosomal damage.

20-100 Temporary reduction in white blood cells.
100-200 Mild radiation sickness within a few hours: vomiting,
diarrhea, fatigue; reduction in resistance to infection.
200-300 Serious radiation sickness effects as in 100-200 rem and
hemorrhage; exposure is a Lethal Dose to 10-35% of the
population after 30 days (LD 10-35/30).
300-400 Serious radiation sickness; also marrow and intestine
destruction; LD 50-70/30.
400-103 Acute illness, early death; LD 60-95/30.
103-5000 Acute illness, early death in days; LD 100/10.
 Types of Nuclear Radiation
• 5 types of nuclear radiation:
 alpha particles (α)
 beta particles (β)
 gamma rays (γ)
 electron capture of an inner orbital electron,
 positron emission to form neutrons
• Nuclear Decay — when an unstable nucleus emits
alpha or beta particles, the number of protons &
neutrons may change.
 This process can be written in a nuclear
equation/nuclear reaction.
 Transmutation occurs. (Nucleus changes identity.)
 Alpha Emission
• Alpha Particle – two protons and two
neutrons bound together emitted from the
nucleus during radioactive decay.
 The reaction produces a helium nuclei.
• The atomic number decreases by two, the
mass number decreases by four.
• Example:
210
Po → 206Pb + 4He
84 82 2
 Beta Emission
• Beta Particle – an electron emitted from the
nucleus as a beta particle
• The atomic number increases by one, the
mass number stays the same – a neutron
is changed into a proton.
• Example:
14
C → 14N + 0β
6 7 -1
 Gamma Emission
• Gamma Particle – high energy electromagnetic
waves emitted from a nucleus as it changes from
an excited state to a ground energy state.
• Gamma emission usually occurs immediately
following other types of decay.
• Of the three types of nuclear radiation, gamma
rays have the greatest penetrating power.
Nuclear Radiation
 Don’t Forget
• Remember:
 Mass #’s add up to be the same on each side of
the arrow.
 Atomic #’s add up to be the same on each side
of the arrow.
 Balance the following Nuclear
Reactions
253
Es + 4He → 1n + ? 1
n + 256Md
99 2 0 0 101

43
Ca + 0β
20 -1
43
19 K → 4320Ca + ?
206
Pb + 4He
82 2
210
84 Po → 206
82 Pb + ?
210
Bi + 0β
83 -1
210
82 Pb → 210
83 Bi + ?
 Half Life
• Half-Life – the time it takes for half a radioactive
element to undergo radioactive decay.
• The half-life of radioactive elements can be used
to date rocks, fossils, etc.
• Each radioactive isotope has a characteristic half-
life.
• Equation:
Initial mass (½ )(# of ½ lives) = final mass
 Calculating ½ Life
• The ½ life of an element is 21.5 min. How
many milligrams of this element remain
after 86 min. if you start with 80 mg?
Initial mass (½ )(# of ½ lives) = final mass
• 86 min/21.5 min = 4 half lives
• Final mass = 80 mg ( ½ )(4)
• Amount of element remaining =
80.0 mg x ½ x ½ x ½ x ½ = 5 mg
 Nuclear Fission
• Nuclear Fission – an atom breaks up into
smaller atoms.
 energy is released. E=mc2 or E= m ( 9 x 1016 )
• Fission is the primary system powering
nuclear reactors, nuclear missiles, and
nuclear powered submarines and air craft
carriers.
 Nuclear Fusion
• Nuclear fusion – atoms join together to
make 1 atom. (opposite of fission)
 Energy is released after the reaction but
lots of energy is needed to start the
reaction.
• Very high temperatures and pressures are
used to combine light atoms, such as
hydrogen, to make heavier atoms, like
helium.
 Ex. The Sun: Overall 4 hydrogen atoms make
a helium atom
• Creating and maintaining a fusion
reaction is more complex and expensive
than performing fission.
 Nuclear Power Plants
• Nuclear power plants use heat from nuclear reactors to
produce electrical energy.
• They have five main components:
 Shielding
 Fuel
 Control rods
 Moderator
 Coolant
• Shielding – radiation-absorbing material that is used to
decrease exposure to radiation from nuclear reactors.
• Current Problems with nuclear power: environmental
requirements, safety of operation, construction costs, and
storage and disposal of spent fuel and radioactive wastes.
How long did the Soviet
government wait until
formally announcing that
the accident at Chernobyl
had, in fact, happened?

2 days!