Great Ideas in Science: Lecture 7 Nuclear Reactions

Professor Robert Hazen UNIV 301

Great Idea: Nuclear energy arises from the conversion of mass into energy.

Nuclear Reactions

Key Idea: Nuclear reactions result from the rearrangement of an atoms protons and neutrons (i.e. the nucleus) Key Words:
Proton Neutron Nucleus Isotope Radioactivity Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion

The Building Blocks of Matter

Of what is matter made?
Atoms Nuclei and electrons Quarks

Key Words About Atoms

Atom: Any object with a nucleus and electrons Element: An atom with a known number of protons (the atomic number) Ion: An electronically-charged atom with a different number of protons (+) and electrons (-) Isotope: An element with a known number of neutrons

The Structure of the Atom

Electrons in shells (energy levels)

Negatively charged Shift during chemical reactions

The Structure of the Atom

Electrons in shells (energy levels)

Negatively charged Shift during chemical reactions Composed of protons and neutrons Positively charged Nucleus - Stays put in chemical reactions

Central dense nucleus

Isotopes: Hydrogen & Carbon

H-1 1 proton H-2 1 p & 1 neutron (Deuterium) H-3 1 p & 2 n (Tritium) C-12 6p & 6n C-13 6p & 7n C-14 6p & 8n (radioactive)

For any given element the number of protons is fixed

Four Fates of Isotopes

An isotope may be stable An isotope may be radioactive An isotope may be split apart by fission An isotope may combine with another by fusion

Chart of the Isotopes (Z vs. N)

Stable Isotopes

99.999+% of all the atoms around us Examples are carbon-12 and carbon-13 Different isotopes dont affect chemical reactions. Used in scientific research to track chemical reactions (2 ways)
As tracers Fractionation

Radioactivity or Radioactive Decay (three kinds)

The spontaneous emission of an energetic particle by a nucleus

Alpha radiation Beta radiation Gamma radiation

Most Kinds of Isotopes are Radioactive

STABLE RADIOACTIVE

Alpha Radiation

Atom spontaneously loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons (= a Helium-4 nucleus)

Alpha Radiation

Atom spontaneously loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons (= a Helium-4 nucleus) Uranium-238 Thorium-234 + 2n + 2p

Beta Radiation

One neutron spontaneously becomes a proton plus an electron Thorium-234 Proactinium-234

Gamma Radiation

Atom spontaneously emits a gamma ray (electromagnetic radiation) Uranium-238* Uranium-238 +

Gamma Radiation

Atom spontaneously emits a gamma ray (electromagnetic radiation) Uranium-238* Thorium 234 +

SUMMARY: The Three Kinds of Radioactive Decay

Alpha Decay
Release of particle with 2 protons and 2 neutrons

Beta Decay
Neutron becomes a proton Emission of electron (-ray)

Gamma Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation

Radioactivity and Health

Ionization
Stripping off electrons

Long-term effects
Cancer Birth defects

Half-Life

The average time for decay of batch of radioactive isotopes Wide range of half-lives

Radiometric Dating
1. Know half-life of isotope 2. Know how much was there 3. Measure whats left Carbon-14: Half-life = 5730 years

Radiometric Dating
Applications to geology
Need longer half-lives Uranium, potassium

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Radioactive Decay Chain (radon)

Four Fates of Isotopes

An isotope may be stable An isotope may be radioactive An isotope may be split apart by fission An isotope may combine with another by fusion

Nuclear Fission (Splitting)

Fission = Splitting of nucleus A nuclear reactor converts mass to energy

Nuclear Fission (Splitting)

Nuclear Fission The Atom Bomb

Hiroshima August 6, 1945

Nuclear Fission The Atom Bomb

Yucca Mountain, Nevada (NIMBY)

Yucca Mountain, Nevada (NIMBY)

Four Fates of Isotopes

An isotope may be stable An isotope may be radioactive An isotope may be split apart by fission An isotope may combine with another by fusion

Nuclear Fusion (Fusing)

Hydrogen atoms combine to form helium Some mass is converted into energy

Nuclear Fusion Hydrogen Bomb

Nuclear Fusion Hydrogen Bomb

Stars are Giant Fusion Reactors

http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/people/seth/107/Solar/Image12.gif

Fates of Stars

Benefits of Isotopes

Stable Isotopes

Medical Research Environmental Tracers Medical diagnosis Cancer treatments Environmental tracers Age Determination

Radioactive Isotopes

Nuclear fission

Power generation

Nuclear Fusion
The Sun