Introduction to Nuclear Chem DTP

7/30/2019 Introduction to Nuclear Chem DTP

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Introduction to

NuclearChemistry


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2 main components:

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

Surrounding electron cloud consists ofelectrons (e) arranged into orbitals

A neutral atom has equal number ofprotons and electrons

Review of Atomic Structure


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Isotopes are atoms with the same atomicnum

ber as other atoms of the sameelement, but different number of neutrons

Isotopes exist because nuclei favor stability(lower energy)

Neutrons provide that stability by acting asnuclear glue

Example: Oxygen-16 through 18 are allstable nucleibut what about oxygen-15?

Review of Isotopes


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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

Predicting Nuclear Stability


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1) Smaller atomshave a neutron-

proton ratio closeto N/Z = 1

2) Larger atomshave a neutron-proton ratiocloser to N/Z = 1.5

Belt (or Band) of Nuclear Stability


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1) All stable nuclei have number ofneutrons that is equal to or greaterthan the number of protons

2) Nuclei with a neutron-proton ratio thatis too small (1.5) areunstable

3) Atoms with atomic number larger than83 and mass number larger than 209are always unstable

General Rules for Nuclear Stability


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Unstable nuclei will decay until theybecome stable

Radioactivity/radioactive decay is theprocess by which an unstable nucleusemits one or more particles or energy

Radioactivity is still consistent with Law ofConservation of Mass

Radioactivity/Radioactive Decay


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Types of Radioactive Decay


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Nuclear fission is thesplitting of a largeatoms nucleus into two or morefragments, each more stable than theoriginal nucleus

Can occur spontaneously, and producesa lot of energy

The basis for nuclear reactors!

Nuclear Fission


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Nuclear Fission


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Nuclear fusion is the combining of smallatoms nuclei to form a larger nucleus thatis more stable than the originals

Produces a lot of energy, but requires a lotof energy to initiate in the first place

This is how stars (including the Sun) generateenergy!

Nuclear Fusion


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Nuclear Fusion


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The federal government should establisha policy to substantially increase nuclearenergy research and use in the US.

Splitting Main Street: The Nuclear EnergyDebate

Write down at least 3 pros or cons, either

from watching the video or your ownoriginal ideas (hold on to this, you will beturning it in for credit)

Nuclear Energy Discussion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg6benIIk0ghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg6benIIk0ghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg6benIIk0ghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg6benIIk0g


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We will be participating in an open-discussion on the above topic

Half of the class will go inside first, while

the other half watches from the outside

Then the two halves will switch places



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While on the inside: Make at least onemeaningful contribution to the discussion

Asking a meaningful question is OK too!

While on the outside: Write down at leastone key point from watching the insidediscussion

Writing a key question is OK too!



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If you have the following assignments,please turn them in: Predicting Products Postlab Class Notes on Techniques for SeparatingMixtures (2/26/13 Notes)

Factors Affecting Solubility Inquiry Gravimetric Analysis Lab Report

Collecting Student Work

Documents

Introduction to Nuclear Chem DTP