CHAPTER 22 Nuclear Chemistry

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CHAPTER 22Nuclear Chemistry
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Types of Nuclear Particles

• Alpha particle (a)
• Composition 2 protons, 2 neutrons
• Symbol 42He or a
• Charge 2
• Penetrating power low, stopped by paper or cloth

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• Beta particle (ß)
• Composition 1 electron
• Symbol -1 e
• Charge -1
• Penetrating power 100 times greater than alpha,
  stopped by wood or concrete

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• Gamma ray (? )
• Composition electromagnetic waves
• Symbol ?
• Charge 0
• Penetrating power 1000 times greater than beta,
  stopped by lead or 6 feet of concrete

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Fission vs. fusion
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F ission

• splitting a nucleus into two or more smaller
  nuclei
• 1 g of 235U 3 tons of coal

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F ission

• chain reaction - self-propagating reaction
• critical mass - mass required to sustain a
  chain reaction

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Fusion

• combining of two nuclei to form one nucleus of
  larger mass
• thermonuclear reaction requires temp of
  40,000,000 K to sustain
• 1 g of fusion fuel 20 tons of coal
• occurs naturally in stars

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Fission vs. Fusion
FISSION
FUSION

• fuel is abundant
• no danger of meltdown
• no toxic waste
• not yet sustainable

• 235U is limited
• danger of meltdown
• toxic waste
• thermal pollution