Nuclear Reactions Flashcards
2/1H name
deuterium
3/1H name
tritium
Properties of alpha decay
Atomic Number-2, Mass Number-4
Properties of beta decay
AN+1
Properties of positron emission
AN-1
Properties of electron capture
AN-1
Alpha particles
4/2 He
+2
Mass (U) = 4
Approx. Speed (x speed of light) = 0.1
Low penetrating ability
Beta particles
β or 0/-1e
-1
U = 1/2000
AS: .9
Higher penetrating ability
Gamma Radiation
Ɣ
0
U = 0
AS: speed of light
Very high penetrating ability
Proton
1/1p
+1
Neutron
1/0n
0
positron
0/+1e
+1
What order is radioactive decay?
First order kinetic process
Radioactive Isotope half-life
N1 = N0 x 2^-t/h
Radioactive Decay
ln(Nt/N0) = -kt
Nuclear Fission concept
the splitting of a large nucleus into two, or more, smaller nuclei
A typical fission reaction
1/0n + 235/92U –> 142/56Ba + ____ + 3(1/0)n
Fissionable isotope of Uranium
235/92 U
Usual naturally occurring isotope of Uranium
238/92 U
What type of reaction is nuclear fission and why?
Chain reaction, as 1 + neutrons are produced.
Critical Mass of 235/92 U
1 kg
What is critical mass?
Critical mass is the amount of fissile material that can self sustain a chain fission reaction
What is the moderator?
A part of a nuclear reactor that slows down the fast moving neutrons so they can be more readily captured by 235/92 U atoms
What is nuclear fusion?
The joining together of two, or more, lighter nuclei to form a heavier one
