What are the three main particles found in an atom?
Protons (positively charged), neutrons (neutral), and electrons (negatively charged).
What does the atomic number represent?
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
How do you calculate the number of neutrons in an atom?
Subtract the atomic number from the mass number.
What are isotopes?
Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons.
What occurs during alpha decay?
An alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons) is ejected from the nucleus, decreasing the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4.
What is the representation of an alpha particle in equations?
4 2He.
What happens to the atomic number and mass number during beta decay?
The atomic number increases by 1, and the mass number remains unchanged.
What is a beta particle represented by in equations?
0 1e−.
What is gamma radiation?
An electromagnetic wave produced from an excited nucleus, not involving the ejection of particles.
How does nuclear fission occur?
A large heavy nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing energy and neutrons.
What is the equation for energy-mass equivalence?
E = mc², where E is energy, m is mass, and c is the speed of light.
What is nuclear fusion?
The process where two small nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, releasing energy.
What conditions are required for nuclear fusion to occur?
Very high temperatures (about 100 million K) and high pressure.
What is the significance of the mass defect?
It describes the difference between the mass of a nucleus and the sum of the masses of its nucleons.
What is the result of the decay chain from 218 84Po to 214 82Pb?
The emission of an alpha particle.
How do you find the energy released by a nuclear reaction?
Calculate the difference in mass between the reactants and products, then use E = mc².
What is induced fission?
Fission that occurs when a large nucleus is bombarded with neutrons, causing it to become unstable.
What is the role of neutrons in a nuclear reactor?
They induce further fissions and help sustain the nuclear chain reaction.
What is the outcome of the fission reaction involving uranium?
It produces energy and smaller nuclei, along with additional neutrons.
What happens to the mass of products in a fusion reaction?
The mass of the products is less than the mass of the starting materials, converting mass into energy.
What is the relationship between energy and mass in nuclear reactions?
Energy and mass are conserved; mass can be converted into energy and vice versa.
What is the effect of alpha decay on the atomic and mass numbers?
Atomic number decreases by 2, and mass number decreases by 4.
What is the effect of beta decay on the atomic number?
The atomic number increases by 1.
What is the purpose of heat exchangers in a fusion reactor?
To convert water to steam, which drives generators to produce electricity.
