Larry Foulke
Atomic and Nuclear Physics The Einstein Connection 2.3 Seeking Stability
Excess neutrons cause the nucleus to be at a higher than desired energy state.
Nucleus is unstable.
Nuclear Stability
p p p p n p n n p p n p p
p p n n n n n n n n n p p
n p n n p
p n
Nuclear Stability
p n n n p n n n p n n n n n p n
Nature will always force unstable nuclei to DECAY into a more stable form. Three mechanisms for a nucleus to stabilize
p n n n p n n p
Break apart Emit a particle Change a neutron into a proton (or vice versa), usually accompanied by an emitted particle
6
Heavy nuclei spontaneously break apart into two smaller nuclei. Only occurs for nuclei with Z2/A 45 Frequently observed in isotopes of Pu and Cf. Low probability relative to Alpha decay.
7
Alpha Decay
Alpha Decay
Large, unstable, nuclei emit an alpha particle
Alpha particles
Mass = 4 amu, charge +2 Helium nucleus Decay mechanism for large, unstable atoms Most common decay mode for nuclei with Z > 90
9
12
+ n
decay process.
p e
Image Source: See Note 4
13
Always remember:
Nuclear decay must conserve mass, charge, total energy and angular momentum (spin).
14
Np 239 94 Pu +
0 1
0 +0
11 0 + 0 C B + + Positron Emiss.: 5 1 0
Equation must always conserve mass and charge Typically dont list energy or momentum in these balance equations
15
16
210 83 Bi
A 4 Z X + 2 He
210 83 Bi
A 0 X + -0 + 0 1 Z
17
210 83 Bi
4 X + A Z 2 He
210 83 Bi
A 0 0 -1 + Z X + 0
18
2. 3. 4.