Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear chemistry studies radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, and nuclear energy. Master decay types, half-life calculations, nuclear equations, and applications of radioactivity.
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Study Tips
- ✓Alpha (a): mass number decreases by 4, atomic number by 2 (He-4 nucleus)
- ✓Beta (b-): mass number unchanged, atomic number increases by 1 (neutron to proton)
- ✓Half-life formula: N = N0(1/2)^(t/t1/2) or use first-order kinetics
- ✓Nuclear equations must balance both mass number and atomic number
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Students often confuse beta-minus and beta-plus (positron) decay, forget that gamma rays don't change mass or atomic number, miscalculate after multiple half-lives, and mix up fission (splitting) and fusion (combining). Remember: fusion powers the sun; fission powers nuclear reactors.
Nuclear Chemistry FAQs
Common questions about nuclear chemistry
Both mass numbers (top) and atomic numbers (bottom) must balance. For alpha decay, subtract 4 from mass number and 2 from atomic number. For beta-minus decay, mass number stays same, atomic number increases by 1. Always check that both sides sum to the same values.
Use N = N0(1/2)^(t/t1/2) where N is final amount, N0 is initial amount, t is elapsed time, and t1/2 is half-life. After n half-lives, (1/2)^n of the original remains. Example: after 3 half-lives, (1/2)^3 = 1/8 remains.
Fission splits heavy nuclei (like U-235) into lighter ones, releasing energy and neutrons. Used in nuclear reactors. Fusion combines light nuclei (like H isotopes) into heavier ones, releasing even more energy. Powers the sun. Both convert mass to energy per E = mc2.
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