Unstable Nuclei Flashcards
What are the 4 fundamental forces?
- Electromagnetic force
- Gravitational force
- Strong nuclear force
- Weak nuclear force
What is the strong nuclear force?
A force that, is more attractive than the electromagnetic force, holds the nucleus together.
What is the range for the strong nuclear force?
Repulsive before 0.5fm. Maximum attractive value at 1fm. Rapidly decreases after 3fm
What is nuclear decay?
When unstable nuclei emit particles to become more stable.
What atoms does alpha decay happen in?
In very big atoms. The nuclei is too big for the strong nuclear force to keep them stable.
What happens in alpha decay?
proton number decreases by 2 and the nucleon number decreases by 4.
What is the alpha particles range?
Very short range - only a few cm in air.
What is Beta minus decay?
The emission of a beta particle from the nucleus along with an antineutrino.
What happens in beta minus decay?
A neutron changes into a proton so the proton number increases by 1. The antineutrino carries away energy and momentum.
What is the idea behind neutrinos?
Beta decay did not obey the law of conservation of energy so it must mean another particle is present. It must have zero charge and almost zero mass.
