Nuclear Physics Flashcards
Definition of 1 u (atomic mass unit)
one atomic mass unit (1 u) is defined being equal to one-twelfth of the mass of a carbon-12 atom
Relationship equation between energy and mass
E=MC2
Define Mass Defect
Difference between total mass of the separate nucleons and the combined mass of the nucleus.
1 MeV is defined as
1 Mev is the energy gained by 1 electron accelerated by potential of 1 million volts
1 MeV = 1.6 x 10-13 J
Binding Energy
The Minimum energy needed to separate all nucleons in nucleus to infinity
Equal to mass defect
Fission
The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei of approximately the same mass
increases binding energy per nucleon
Use of rods in Nuclear Fission
Chain reaction after heavy nuclei bombarded with nuetrons
Rods to control number of fission reactions by absorbing neutrons
Fussion
Process by which two light nuclei join together to form a heavier one
icreases Binding energy per nucleon
define λ
λ is the probability that an individual nucleus will decay per unit time
Define activity A
Activity of a radioactive sample is the rate at which nuclei decay or disintegrate
Differrence between λ and A
λ deals with individual nuclei
A with entire sample
A and undecayed nuclei Formula
A = λN
A and number of emissions formula
A = Number of emissions / time
Half life t½
mean time taken for the number of undecayed nuclei to be reduced to half its original value
exponential relationship equations for N, A, and R (count rate)
x=x0e-λt
