Nuclear Flashcards
2 observations + deductions of Rutherford α particle scattering experiment
Observations
-
Most of the α-particles pass through undeflected through gold film
deduction: nucleus very small in size & atom largely made out of empty space -
Very few (1/8000) α-particles deflected by large scattering angles (>90deg) or are deflected directly backwards
deduction: almost all the mass of the atom is concentrated in the centre of the atom (nucleus)
=> nucleus is highly dense in mass & +ve charged
Amount of deflection 4 factors
- Impact parameter
- Mass & initial velocity of projectile
- Charge of target
- Charge of projectile
Definition: Nucleus
dense region at the centre of an atom containing protons & neutrons
Nuclear force origins
Within nucleus, protons packed together in tiny space=> strong repulsive force
=> even stronger attractive force required to **bind protons & neutrons together*
Same between proton & proton / proton & neutron / neutron and neutron
Extremely short range, acts over 1-3fm, not beyond closest nucleon
Definition: Isotopes + properties
Atoms of the same element with same proton no. but different neutron no.
- Similar _chemical properties_ => inseparable via chemical means
- Different _nuclear & physical properties_ => different mass - separate via mass spectrometer
Definition: Nuclides
Atomic species with specific mass no.(A) & proton no.(Z)
Definition: Unified atomic mass constant (u)
One atomic mass unit (1u) is equal to 1/12 mass of carbon-12 atom
Definition: Mass defect
Difference between total mass of nucleons of atom taken separately & mass of nucleus
Mass defect= [Z x Mp + (A-Z) x Mn] - Mnucleus
Note: Mass of nucleus < total mass of individual nucleons