Nuclear Chemistry Flashcards
radioisotope
an isotope of an element that emits radiation caused by nuclear instability
stable isotopes
24 Mg 127I
examples of unstable isotopes
23Mg and 27Mg
125I and 131 I
235 U
238 U
alpha particle
4He2
2 protons and 2 neutrons are emitted as an alpha particle
mass number= 4
charge= 2+
beta particle
0e-1
a neutron changes to a proton and an electron is emitted
mass number= 0
charge= -1
positron
0e+1
a proton changes to a neutron and positron is emitted
mass number= 0
charge= 1+
gamma ray
γ
energy is lost to stabilise the nucleus
mass number= 1
charge= +1
proton
1H1
mass number= 1
charge= +1
neutron
1n0
a neutron is emiited
mass number= 1
charge= 0
what does ionizing radiation do?
it strikes molecules in its path and knocks away electrons in molecules forming unstable ions. it can cause undesirable chemical reactions.
effect of ionizing radiation on cells
damages the cells most sensitive to radiation, rapidly dividing cells in bone marrow, skin, and reproductive organs thus causing cancer
effect of ionizing radiation of DNA
ionising radiation forms unstable ions such as H2O+ which readily reacts with the electrons of the pi bond of the nitrogen bases of DNA which leads to mutations
penetration of alpha radiation
does not penetrate the human body
penetration of beta radiation
penetrated through living organs and tissues
penetration of gamma radiation
penetrates completely
radiation protection from alpha particles
paper and clothing
radiation protection from beta particles
lab coat and gloves
radiation protection from gamma rays
dense shielding such as lead and concrete
how can individuals who work in an environment where radioactive materials are present limit their exposure?
- minimizing the amount of time spent near a radioactive source
- increasing the distance from the source
what happens as you double your distance from the radiation source?
the intensity of the radiation drops to (1/2)^2
radioactive decay
the nucleus breaks down by emitting radiation
what is nuclear stability affected by?
the actual number of nucleons
which nuclei are always radioactive
Z>84
which number of protons and neutrons is more stable
an even number of protons and neutrons is more stable than odd
what suggests the type of radioactive decay an isotope may undergo?
the ratio between the number of neutrons and the number of protons N/Z
N/Z too high
an isotope will tend to reduce the number of neutrons: beta decay
N/Z too low
the radioisotopes will undergo either positron emission or electron capture to reduce the number of protons and increase the number of neutrons