Nuclear Physics Primer
Nuclear Physics Primer
NUCLEAR PHYSICS
Definitions:
Nucleons: Nucleons are the constituents of the nucleus of the atom. It is the collective name of
protons and neutrons which make up the nucleus.
Atomic number: Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
It is denoted by Z. In a neutral atom, the atomic number is also equal to the number of electrons
in the atom. It determines the position of the element in the periodic table. For Hydrogen, Z = 1
for Oxygen Z = 8.
Mass number: Mass number is the sum of the protons and the neutrons in the nucleus of an
atom.
Nuclide: Nuclide is a nucleus whose atomic number and mass number are known or specified
It is generally represented by
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Nuclei: Nuclei is the plural for nucleus. Thus one can say six nuclei and not six nucleuses.
Isotopes: Isotopes are atoms of the same element having the same atomic numbers but different
mass numbers. They have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.
For example Hydrogen has three isotopes. Hydrogen-1, hydrogen-2 and hydrogen-3
i.e.
Atomic Mass unit (u, mu, amu): The atomic mass unit is a standard unit for measuring atomic
masses by comparing it to carbon – 12 isotope.
The atomic mass unite is defined as one-twelfth ( ) the mass of one atom of carbon-12 isotope.
The atomic mass unite is sometimes called the unified atomic mass unit.
= x
= 1.6606 x 10-27 kg
∴ 1u = 1.6606 x 10-27 kg
The electron volt is the amount of energy gained (or lost) or by a single electron when it is moved
across an electric potential difference of one volt (1V).
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Work (W) =Charge (q) x Potential Difference (V)
= (1.6022x10-19C) x (1V)
= 1.6022x10-19J
∴ 1eV = 1.6022x10-19J
1Mev = 106 eV
( )
Note: ( )
Mass Defect:
Mass defect is the difference in mass between a nucleus and its individual particles (nucleons)
.This is the mass equivalent of the energy released in the formation of the nucleus.
Mass–energy equivalence
According to Einstein's famous equation the relationship between mass and the energy is given
by:
E = mc2
Where m is the mass, c is the speed of light, and E is the energy equivalent of the mass.
From this relation we can calculate the energy equivalent of one atomic mass unit (1u):
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Now:
Binding Energy:
Binding Energy is the minimum amount of energy required to take apart the nucleus of an atom
into it constituent particles
Note: When a nucleus is taken apart, the sum of the masses of its nucleons is always found to be
more than the mass of the nucleus. There is a defect in mass (Δm). The energy equivalent of this
defect in mass is the Binding Energy of the nucleus
The mass defect of the of the nucleus can be calculated using the following equation:
Δm = Zmp + Nmn – m
Where:
Δm = mass defect
Z = atomic number
N = number of neutrons
mp = mass of proton
mn = mass of neutron
m = mass of nucleus
Or
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Nuclear Reaction
Nuclear reaction is the reaction which involves the interaction between nuclei leading to the
formation of new nuclide with the release of some particles and energy. Nuclear reactions can be
represented by nuclear equations.
Illustration:
c- Emitted particle
Q- Energy
A target nucleus A is bombarded by a particle b and results in a final nucleus Y with emitted
particle c. Q is the energy released in the reaction. Q is positive if the total mass of Y and c is less
than that of the projectile (b) and target (A),
If the total mass of Y and c is more than the mass of A and b, Q is negative and it is the energy
absorbed before the reaction takes place. In balancing nuclear equations, two basic principles or
laws are used. This are:
The sum of the atomic numbers on both sides of the equation must be the same(
conservation of atomic number/conservation of charge)
The sum of the mass numbers on both sides of the reaction must be the same( conservation
of mass)
Illustration:
+ Q (energy)
For conservation of charge: b + d = d + f
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Examples:
1.
2.
3.
Radioactivity is the disintegration of an atomic nucleus into two or more nuclei with the emission
of alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ), rays with the release of energy. Radioactivity may occur
naturally or may be induced artificially
Natural Radioactivity
This is the disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus with the emission of α, β and γ rays with
the release of energy and the formation of more stable nuclei.
Uranium, thorium and actinium are examples of elements that undergo natural radioactivity
Example:
1.
2.
Artificial Radioactivity
This is an induced disintegration of a stable nucleus with the emission of α, β and γ rays and the
formation of other stable nucleus with the release of energy. This is initiated by bombarding
stable nuclei with fast moving particles such as neutrons, protons or α-particles. The nuclei
absorbs the particle becomes unstable and undergo disintegration
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Example:
1.
2.
Alpha Decay
When a nucleus disinter grates with the emission of an alpha particle, it turns into a nucleus with
chemical properties similar to those of an element two places earlier in the periodic table. This
process is known as Alpha decay
Symbolically:
Parent Daughter
Nuclide Nuclide Alpha
Particle
Example:
Beta Decay
Beta decay occurs when a nucleus disintegrates with the emission of a beta particle and turns
out into a nucleus with the chemical properties similar to those of an element one place later on
the periodic table. Note that electrons do not exist in the nucleus. Hence the electron must be
created within the nucleus at the time of its emission.
Symbolically:
Parent Daughter Beta
Nuclide Nuclide Particle
Example:
Gamma decay
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This involves the emission of gamma rays in a radioactive decay. In this type of decay, neither the
atomic number Z, nor the mass number A, changes as a result the nucleus maintains its chemical
properties.
Symbolically:
Gamma
Ray
Example:
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Properties of Beta Particles:
1. They are strongly deflected by magnetic fields
2. They carry a charge of -1
3. They have the same mass as electrons
4. They are absorbed or stopped by a sheet of aluminum
5. They ionize atoms that they pass through but not as strongly as alpha particle
6. They have medium penetrating power( as compared to alpha and gamma radiations)
7. They are fast and light
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Detecting Radioactivity
One of several ways of detecting radioactivity is by the use of the Geiger-Muller counter.
The Geiger-Muller counter depends on ionization to work. It basically consists of a gas-filled tube
containing two electrodes with a high voltage (about 400 V) across them. The negative electrode
is a cylinder C, and a straight wire running alone the axis of the cylinder and insulated from it is a
positive electrode A. The gas in the tube is argon and bromine at low pressure. When an ionizing
radiation enters the tube, the argon and the bromine gas is ionized producing electrons and
positive ions. For a voltage above the breakdown voltage of the gas, the number of electrons and
positive ions increase. When this happens, the electrons move towards the anode and positive
ion towards the cathode. Thus, a pulse of charge flows between the electrodes. This pulse is sent
into an amplifier to be magnified and then to a counter. The counter registers the passage of the
radiation as a tickling sound.
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