Chemistry Project

CHEMISTRY PROJECT
AHMED AHMED
MOAZ
AHMED ALI
LESSON 4:
UNSTABLE NUCLEI AND RADIOACTIVE DECAY

1 Unstable Nuclei and Radioactive Decay
Section 4.4Unstable Nuclei and Radioactive Decay
2 Objectives Explain the relationship between unstable

nuclei and radioactive decay . Characterize alpha, beta,
and gamma radiation in terms of mass and charge.
3 Radioactivity Chemical Reactions

Atoms of one element do not change into atoms of
another element during a chemical reaction . Why?
4 Radioactivity Chemical reactions involve the

rearrangement of atoms – not their “destruction”.
Chemical reactions involve only an atom’s electrons –
the nucleus remains unchanged.
5 Radioactivity Nuclear Reactions
These are reactions that involve an atom of one element changing
into an atom of another element. These reactions involve the change
of an atom’s nucleus.
6 Radioactivity In the late 1890’s, radioactivity was discovered.

Radioactivity is a process in which some substances spontaneously
emit radiation . Radiation is the name for the energy (“rays”) and
particles emitted by radioactive material . Scientists discovered that
by emitting radiation, atoms of one element could change into atoms
of another element.
7 Radioactivity Why does radioactivity occur?

Radioactive atoms emit radiation because their nuclei are
unstable*.Unstable systems gain stability by losing energy . Unstable
nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation in a spontaneous process
called radioactive decay . Radioactive decay continues until stable ,
non-radioactive atoms form. They are often of a different element.
8 Types of RadiationResearch, begun in the late 1880’s, used electrically charged plates. Scientists
were able to identify 3 types of radiation.
9 Types of Radiation Alpha Radiation

Deflected to negatively charged plates.Made up of alpha particles: 2 protons and 2 neutrons with a
+2 charge.Symbol for an alpha particle is 42α or 42He (the helium nucleus)Example of alpha decay
10 Alpha RadiationNote what happens to the atomic number of an element upon emission of an
alpha particle.The atom giving up the alpha particle has its atomic number reduced by two. This
results in the atom becoming a different element. In the example, Radium-226 undergoes alpha
decay to form Radon-222.
11 Alpha Radiation 22688Ra --> 22286Rn + 42He

This type of equation is known as a nuclear equation.The atomic numbers and mass numbers of all
particles involved are shown.Note that both atomic number and mass number are conserved in a
nuclear equation.
12 Practice Problems Complete the following nuclear equations for

alpha decay:24195Am ---->_____ ----> 42He U23592U ---->_____ ----> 42He Po
13 Types of Radiation Beta radiation
Deflected towards the positively charged plateConsists of fast-moving electrons called beta
particles. They have a 1- charge.Symbol for a beta particle is 0-1ß or 0-1e.Example of beta decay
14 Beta RadiationThe atom giving up the beta particle has its atomic number increased by one.This
results in the atom becoming a different element. In the example, carbon-14 undergoes beta decay
to form nitrogen-14, according to the equation:146C ---> 0-1e N.Note that, in the equation, atomic
numbers and mass numbers are conserved.
15 Beta RadiationSince beta radiation is a type of nuclear radiation, the beta particle is emitted by
the nucleus of an atom.How, you may ask, is it possible for an electron to come from a nucleus??
Scientists believe that neutrons are actually composed of 2 particles - an electron and a proton.In
beta decay, the electron is emitted and the proton is left, increasing the atomic number.
16 Practice Problems Complete the following nuclear equations for

beta decay.Co ---->2. _____ ---> 0-1e PaZr --->4. _____ ---> 0-1e Zn
17 Types of Radiation Gamma Radiation Also called
gamma rays
It is high-energy electromagnetic radiation. It has no
charge. It also has no mass so its emission does not
change the element.However, gamma radiation often
accompanies alpha and beta emission, which do
change the element's identity.Symbol for a gamma ray
is 00 ϒ or just ϒGamma rays account for most of the
energy lost during the radioactive decay process.
18 Types of Radiation
19 Unstable* Nuclei Why are some atoms unstable?

The primary factor in determining stability is the ratio
of neutrons to protons.Atoms containing either too
many or too few neutrons are unstable.Unstable nuclei
lose enough energy and emit enough particles during
radioactive decay to eventually form a nucleus with a
stable neutron to proton ratio.

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CHEMISTRY PROJECT

UNSTABLE NUCLEI AND RADIOACTIVE DECAY

2 Objectives Explain the relationship between unstable

3 Radioactivity Chemical Reactions

4 Radioactivity Chemical reactions involve the

6 Radioactivity In the late 1890’s, radioactivity was discovered.

7 Radioactivity Why does radioactivity occur?

9 Types of Radiation Alpha Radiation

11 Alpha Radiation 22688Ra --> 22286Rn + 42He

12 Practice Problems Complete the following nuclear equations for

16 Practice Problems Complete the following nuclear equations for

19 Unstable* Nuclei Why are some atoms unstable?

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