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Nuclear Physics Summary Notes: Atomic Structure

Nuclear physics involves the study of atomic structure and radiation. Atoms have a central nucleus containing protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons. There are three main types of radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha radiation involves ejection of helium nuclei, beta involves electrons, and gamma is electromagnetic radiation. Radioactive substances emit random radiation from their nuclei. Nuclear fission involves splitting atomic nuclei, usually of uranium-235 or plutonium-239, releasing neutrons and energy. Nuclear fusion joins atomic nuclei and occurs in stars.

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211 views2 pages

Nuclear Physics Summary Notes: Atomic Structure

Nuclear physics involves the study of atomic structure and radiation. Atoms have a central nucleus containing protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons. There are three main types of radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha radiation involves ejection of helium nuclei, beta involves electrons, and gamma is electromagnetic radiation. Radioactive substances emit random radiation from their nuclei. Nuclear fission involves splitting atomic nuclei, usually of uranium-235 or plutonium-239, releasing neutrons and energy. Nuclear fusion joins atomic nuclei and occurs in stars.

Uploaded by

Shelly Aggarwal
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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NUCLEAR PHYSICS SUMMARY NOTES

ATOMIC Symbol in Name of Relative Relative If you change the number of these,
STRUCTURE diagram constituent charge mass the atom becomes a different:

proton +1 1 element

neutron 0 1 isotope

electron -1 1/1836 ion


Atoms have a central, dense nucleus containing most of the atom’s mass. Most of the atom is empty space.

ATOMS AND RADIATION


Radioactive substances give out radiation from the _nucleus_ of
their atoms all the time, whatever is done to them. This process is
_random_ and does not depend on temperature, mass, etc.
Background radiation is around us all the time. The sources of
background radiation are in the pie charts to the right.

Radiation type alpha beta gamma

4 4 0 0
Symbol
2α or 2He −1β or −1e γ
What it is helium nucleus an electron from the nucleus electromagnetic radiation

Relative
very strong/high medium very weak
ionising power

Range in air a few cm 10s of cm unlimited

Uses smoke detector testing paper thickness medical tracers

Dangerous
inside the body outside the body outside the body
when
Penetration properties:

Deflection in an electric field: Deflection in a magnetic field:


NUCLEAR PHYSICS SUMMARY NOTES
For nuclear equations, always ensure the atomic number sums to the same
number on both sides of the arrow and the mass number sums to the same
number on both sides of the arrow:
238 4 234 14 0 14
92U → 2α + 90Th 6C → −1β + 7N
8 0 8 226 4 222
3Li → −1β + 4Be 88Ra → 2α + 86Rn

The half-life of a radioactive isotope is:


 the average time it takes for the number of nuclei of the isotope in a sample to halve.
 the time it takes for the count rate from a sample containing the isotope to fall to half its initial level.
To determine half-life graphically: To determine half-life numerically:

When a questions asks you to show your work in


determining the half-life, they mean you get a mark for
drawing the lines on the graph.
NUCLEAR FISSION is the splitting of an atomic nucleus. NUCLEAR FUSION is the joining of two atomic nuclei to
There are two fissionable substances in common use in form a larger one, naturally occurring in stars. Stars form
nuclear reactors. The majority of reactors use uranium- when enough dust and gas from space is pulled together
235, however, some use plutonium-239. For fission to by gravitational attraction. Smaller masses may form
occur, the nucleus undergoing fission must first absorb a and be attracted by a larger mass to become planets.
neutron. This nucleus then splits into two smaller nuclei,
During the ‘main sequence’ phase, a star fuses hydrogen.
releasing 2 or 3 neutrons and energy (gamma rays). The
These stars are stable because the forces within it are
neutrons may go on to start a chain reaction, like this:
balanced. Fusion processes in stars produce all of the
naturally occurring elements (up to iron, heavier
elements are formed in supernovae). These elements
may be distributed throughout the Universe by a
supernova.

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