Rutherford model:
Problem:
Niels Bohr: Electrons have discrete energy levels. They can only
gain/lose energy by transitioning.
Emission Spectra:
2. Radioactive Decay
Radioactivity
Describe radioactive decay
Radioactivity:
Unstable nuclei spontaneously emit a
particle, decay and become different nuclei.
:
4
2
He
0
1
Characteristic
alpha
nature
Penetrating Power
Ions per mm of air for 2 MeV
particles
helium nucleus
few cm of air
Energy
discrete values
beta
fast electron +
antineutrino
few mm of metal
10 000
212
84
decay:
Po
234
90Th
decay:
238
92
decay:
U*
photon
gamma
photon
many cm of lead
100
continuous values
1
=hc/ (nuclear
energy levels)
208
82
Pb + 24
0
+ 1 e
0
1 e
238
0
92 U + 0
Stablity
More protons electrostatic replusion grows BUT strong force
has a small range SO we add neutrons because
they provide strong force but no electromagnetic
force.
HOWEVER if we have too many neutrons than decay is more
likely to happen.
So need more neutrons than protons but nuclides can only reach
a certain
size.
Half-Life
Radiactive decay:
Half-Life:
Eb/A
. energy required to
remove one nucleon. 8 MeV
For decay to take place, the mass of the decaying nucleus must be
greater than
the combined masses of the products.
208
84 Po
82 Pb + 2
DECAY:
Less mass on right hand side which means the products have kinetic
energy.
4
MV(Pb)=mv(alpha).
NUCLEAR REACTION:
artificial/induced transmutation:
If a nucleus cannot decay by
itself, it can still do so if energy is
supplied to it.
14
7
17
N + 24 8 O + 11 p
Less mass on the left hand side which means the reactants have
kinetic energy.
NOTE: the kinetic energy of the alpha particle would have to more
than make up
for the mass deficit because the products would have kinetic
energy too.
ENERGY PRODUCING nuclear reactions (i.e. fission and fusion)
Nuclear fission:
Nuclear fusion:
p387
H 12 H 23 He 01n