1. Nuclear Chemistry

2. Nuclear Chemistry looks at the number of protons and neutrons in an atom Radioactive Decay = Spontaneous disintegration of a nucleus into a lighter nucleus with emission of particles, electromagnetic radiation or both

3. Types of Radioactive Decay TypeSymbolChargeMass (amu) Alpha Particle+24.00260 Beta Particle0.0005486 Positron+1 0.0005486 Gamma Ray  00 Alpha Particle =  = 2 protons and 2 neutrons together Beta Particle =  = High Energy Electron Positron = Same mass as an electron, but it is positively charged Gamma =  = High energy electromagnetic waves

4. Electron Capture An electron from an inner orbital is taken into the nucleus and combines with a proton to form a neutron

5. Half Life Time needed for half of the atoms of a sample to decay.

6. Nuclear Fission Reactions in which an atom's nucleus splits into smaller parts, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. Most commonly this is done by "firing" a neutron at the nucleus of an atom. The energy of the neutron "bullet" causes the target element to split into two (or more) elements that are lighter than the parent atom. During the fission of U235, three neutrons are released in addition to the two daughter atoms. If these released neutrons collide with nearby U235 nuclei, they can stimulate the fission of these atoms and start a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. This chain reaction is the basis of nuclear power. As uranium atoms continue to split, a significant amount of energy is released from the reaction. The heat released during this reaction is harvested and used to generate electrical energy.

7. Nuclear Fusion Fusion reactions release tremendous amounts of energy and are commonly referred to as thermonuclear reactions. Although many people think of the sun as a large fireball, the sun (and all stars) are actually enormous fusion reactors. Stars are primarily gigantic balls of hydrogen gas under tremendous pressure due to gravitational forces. Hydrogen molecules are fused into helium and heavier elements inside of stars, releasing energy that we receive as light and heat.