Nuclear chemistry notes packet

Causing nuclear reactions:
Natural Transmutation – Definition – The conversion of an atom of one element to an
atom of another element. (Natural Decay)
Artificial transmutation – The use of high energy particles to create nuclear changes and
new elements. No element higher than 92 exists naturally and are all artificially man made.
The use of nuclear accelerators to boost the kinetic energy of particles so they will cause
greater nuclear changes revolutionized the development of new isotopes.
Ex.
Nuclear fission – The break down of large unstable nuclei such as U – 235 to smaller nuclei
produces large amounts of nuclear energy. Many 1000s times more that chemical energy
cells of equal mass. The reaction is initiated by a neutron splitting U-235 into smaller stable
nuclei but also producing more neutrons. If they hit more U-235 atoms the reaction
intensifies and can go out of control. A very specific concentration of mass of U-235 must
be present to control the reaction called the critical mass.
Nuclear Fusion – The combining of smaller nuclei to form a larger more stable nuclei is
called fusion. Occurs on the sun.