02 Lesson 2. Nuclear Chemistry & Energy
02 Lesson 2. Nuclear Chemistry & Energy
02 Lesson 2. Nuclear Chemistry & Energy
Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear chemistry is a study of nuclear reactions. Nuclear reactions are changes in matter originating in the
nucleus of an atom. When a nuclei change spontaneously, it emits radiation and thus said to be radioactive.
Radioactive elements are widely used in medicine as diagnostic tools and as a means of treatment especially for
cancer. They are also used to help determine the mechanisms of chemical reactions, to trace the movement of
atoms in biological systems, and to date important historical artifacts. Nuclear reactions are also used both to
generate electricity and to create weapons of massive destruction.
As cosmic rays enter the atmosphere, it collides with gas molecules. These collisions induce nuclear reactions in
the atmosphere. One of this nuclear reactions leads to the formation of the radioactive carbon-14. Carbon-14 is
unstable isotope of carbon, it undergoes spontaneous radioactive decay or disintegration, ejecting particles
from the nucleus. Carbon-14 is formed when a free neutron is absorbed by nitrogen nucleus resulting to carbon
nucleus and proton. Nitrogen nucleus and neutron are the reactants and carbon nucleus and proton are
products. The nuclear reaction is written as:
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7N + 10n 14
6C + 1
1p
Take note that reactants and products of a nuclear reaction are written in a form of atomic notation, AZE, where
E is the symbol of the atom, A is the mass number and Z is the atomic number or nuclear charge. Similar
notation is used for subatomic particles, neutrons (10n), protons (11p), and electrons (0-1e).
Nuclear reactions also obey conservation rules, hence, nuclear reactions are balanced. Balancing nuclear
equation is with respect to both mass number and nuclear charge. For the nuclear equation to form carbon-14,
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the sum of the mass numbers for each side of the equation is 15, and the sum of the nuclear charges on each
side of the equation is 7, therefore the nuclear equation is balanced.
1.2 Radioactivity
Radioactive decay or nuclear decay is any process by which an unstable atom or nucleus spontaneously emits
subatomic particles. Radiation refers to particles or photons emitted in radioactive decay or nuclear decay. Soon
after radioactivity was discovered, physicist Ernest Rutherford demonstrated three types of radiation, namely:
alpha rays, beta rays and gamma rays. The different types of radioactive decay are discussed below.
○ Alpha Decay
When a nucleus undergoes an alpha decay it ejects an alpha particle (α), which is actually a helium nucleus (42He).
During alpha decay, the mass number decreases by 4 and its atomic number decreases by 2.
238 234 4
Example 1. a. 92U 90Th + 2He
230 226 4
b. 90Th 88Ra + 2He
○ Beta Decay
When a nucleus undergoes beta decay it emits beta particle ( 0-1β), which is an electron ejected from the nucleus.
But how can an electron be ejected from the nucleus where the nucleus does not have electrons? The answer is,
a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton and an electron. The electron is ejected and the proton remains in
the nucleus. Detailed studies of the energetics of beta decay also shows that an additional particle with no
charge and no mass, is emitted. This particle is called antineutrino (υ).
1 1 0
0n 1p + -1β +υ
Since the proton remains in the nucleus, beta decay results to an increase in atomic number by 1.
Example 2 a. 146C 14 0
7N + -1β + υ
b. 23491Pa 234 0
92U + -1β + υ
○ Gamma Decay
Gamma decay is the emission of high energy photons and tends to accompany other types of decay. When an
alpha and beta particles leave the nucleus, some energy levels in the nucleus are no longer occupied, making
the nucleus in an excited state. To return the nucleus to its ground state, it emits a photon. This photon takes
the form of very high energy gamma radiation (00γ). A photon is a quantum of electromagnetic radiation.
Gamma decay accompanies the beta decay of most nuclei.
14 14
Example 3. a. 6C 7N + 0-1β + υ + 00γ
○ Electron Capture
In electron capture, the nucleus captures an electron from the first (n=1) shell or energy level in the atom.
Because the first energy level is called the “K shell”, the electron capture is referred to as K capture. The result
of electron capture is that a proton in the nucleus is converted to a neutron and an additional particle is emitted.
This particle is called neutrino (ν).
1
1p + 0-1e 1
0n + ν
○ Positron Emission
A positron is a positively charged electron (01β). A positron and electron are identical in mass and spin but
opposite in charge. In positron decay, a proton decays into a neutron and a positron.
1 1
1p 0n + 01β + ν
Example 5. a. 158O 15
7N + 01β + ν
b. 116C 11
5B + 01 β + ν
Clicker Exercise 1
1. Complete the following equations and identify the mode of decay:
a. 4019K ___ + 0-1β + υ
40 40
b. 19K + ___ 18Ar + ν
232 4
c. ____ 92U + 2He
40
d. 19K ___ + 01β + ν
2. Nuclear Stability
The stability of a particular nucleus depends on a variety of factors, and no single rule can predict whether a
particular nucleus is radioactive and how it will decay. Nuclear stability can be visualized through the patterns
in the chart of the nuclides (Figure 2.1). The chart of nuclides is a plot of the number of protons versus the
number of neutrons of all known nuclei.
The blue colored dots in the chart of nuclides are stable nuclides. All stable nuclides fall in a central region and
this area with blue color is often called the band of stability. The red colored dots are unstable nuclides and this
area with red color is referred to as the sea of instability. At low atomic numbers, the stable nuclides lie along
the line with N and Z approximately equal. But, beginning with Z = 20, the band of stability begins to deviate
from the line. Eventually, when Z>83 all nuclides are unstable.
Nuclides below or to the right of the band of stability tend to emit beta particles to gain stability. While, nuclides
above or to the left of the band of stability undergo positron emission or electron capture to increase stability.
Heavier nuclei tend to emit alpha particles, decaying successively, and often with beta particle emissions as well,
until a stable nucleus is formed.
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Figure 2.1 Chart of nuclides
(Source: Brown,WH & Holme, TA. (2011). Chemistry for Engineering Students. 2nd edition)
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Figure 2.2 Radioactive decay following first order kinetics
(Source: Brown,WH & Holme, TA. (2011). Chemistry for Engineering Students. 2nd edition)
Taking the natural logarithm of each side of the equation and rearranging the equation
Nt = N0 e-kt
ln Nt = ln N0 – kt
ln Nt - ln N0 = - kt
(ln Nt - ln N0 = - kt) * -1
ln N0 – ln Nt = kt
ln N0/ Nt = kt (kinetic equation for radioactive decay)
Example 6. The half-life of carbon-14 used in radiocarbon dating is 5730 years. What is the decay constant for
carbon- 14?
Solution:
Solve for the decay constant (k) using the formula of t1/2: t1/2 = 0.693/k
t1/2 = 0.693/k
k = 0.693/ t1/2
k = 0.693/ 5730 yr
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k = 1.21 x 10-4 yr-1
Example 7. A piece of cloth is discovered in a burial pit in the southwestern United States. A tiny sample of the
cloth is burned to CO2, and the 14C/12C ratio is 0.250 times the ratio in today’s atmosphere. How old is the cloth?
Solution:
Solve for age of cloth or time (t) using the kinetic equation: ln N0/Nt = kt
ln N0/Nt = kt
t = (ln N0/Nt) / k
t = ln (1/0.250) / 1.21 x 10-4 yr-1
t = 1.386 / 1.21 x 10-4 yr-1
t = 11,454 yr
137
Example 8. Cs has a half- life of 30.2 years. How many years will it take for 100 g sample to decay to 0.01 g?
Given: Nt = 0.01 g
N0 = 100 g
t1/2 = 30.2 yr
Required: t
Solution:
a. Solve for decay constant (k) using t1/2: t1/2 = 0.693/k
t1/2 = 0.693/k
k = 0.693 / t1/2
k = 0.693 / 30.2 yr
k = 0.023 yr-1
Solution:
Solve for time (t) using the kinetic equation: ln N0/Nt = kt
(Take note that the activity of 14C in the atmosphere (and in all living things) today is 0.255 Bq/g of total carbon,
so No = 0.255 Bq/g of carbon)
ln N0/Nt = kt
t = ln (N0/Nt) / k
t = ln (0.255 /0.070) / 1.21 x 10-4 yr-1
t = 1.29 / 1.21 x 10-4 yr-1
t = 10,684 yr
Clicker Exercise 2
1. What is the half- life of a radioisotope if it decays to 12.5% of its radioactivity in 12 years?
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2. A wooden artifact is burned and found to contain 21g of carbon. The C activity of the sample is 105
disintegrations/min. What is the age of the artifact?
where: E is energy
m is mass
c is the speed of light equal to 2.998 x 108 m/s
The mass that is converted to energy is the mass defect (Δm). Mass defect is the mass difference between
calculated and observed masses of the atom.
Example 10. Calculate the binding energy of helium atom with an observed experimental mass of 4.002603 amu.
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Solution:
Helium atom has 2 protons and 2 neutrons
Masses of subatomic particles: p = 1.007825 amu
n = 1.008665 amu
c. Convert the mass defect to binding energy using Einstein’s equation: E = mc2
Eb = Δm * c2
Eb = 0.030377 amu (2.998 x 108 m/s)2
Eb = 2.7303 x 1015 amu m2/s2
This binding energy of one mole of Helium is equivalent to the energy required to drive an average automobile
about 30 times around the Earth at the equator. This is much more energy that can be derived chemically by
just burning a comparable amount of any conceivable fuel.
Example 11. Calculate the energy released by a nucleus of uranium-235 if it splits into a barium-141 nucleus and
a krypton-92 nucleus according to the following equation:
235
92U + 10n 236
92U*
141
56Ba + 9236Kr + 3 10n
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Given: Particles in the nuclear equation are: Uranium-235, Barium-141, Krypton-91, and neutron
Required: amount of energy released by fission of Uranium-235
Solution:
The masses of the particles involved in the nuclear reaction are:
Particle Mass (amu)
Uranium-235 235.0439231
Barium-141 141.9144064
Krypton-92 91.9261528
Neutron 1.0086649
Converting to kJ/mol
E = - 2.7765 x 10-11 J * 1kJ/1000J * 6.023 x 1023 mol-1
E = -1.67 x 1010 kJ/mol
Notice that the nuclear equation for the fission of uranium-235 shows that bombardment the uranium-235 with
one neutron produces three neutrons. Each neutron product is capable of inducing another fission reaction. So,
the three neutron product can induce three fission reactions that will release nine neutrons to induce nine more
fissions from which 27 neutrons are obtained, and so on. The neutron induced fission of uranium-235 is
extremely rapid, this sequence of reactants can lead to an explosive chain reaction as illustrated in Figure 2.3.
In nuclear power plants, nuclear engineers control the fission reaction to run away explosive chain reaction. This
is done by limiting the number and energy of the neutrons available so that energy can be derived safely and
used as a heat source. This is done by inserting cadmium rods or other neutron absorbers to the nuclear reactor.
The rods absorb neutrons that would propagate fission reactions.
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.
Figure 2.3 A self- propagating nuclear chain reaction initiated by capture of neutron
(Source: Brown,WH & Holme, TA. (2011). Chemistry for Engineering Students. 2nd edition)
235
Example 12. 92U + 10n 236
92U*
141
56Ba + 9236Kr + 3 10n
compound nucleus
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5.3 Nuclear Fusion
Fusion is combining small nuclei to form larger and more stable nuclei. The energy of the sun originates in a
fusion reaction where four hydrogen nuclei combined to form helium nucleus:
4 11H 4
2He + 2 01β + 2ν + energy
All the fusion reactions in example 14 generates tremendous amount of energy. Development of nuclear fusion
as commercial source of energy is appealing because hydrogen isotopes are available. Deuterium ( 21H) for
example is naturally occurring, its supply is practically unlimited. While, tritium (31H) can be produced from 6Li
through this reaction: 63Li + 10n 4 3
2He + 1H
Aside from the availability of hydrogen isotopes, fusion does not produce the high level radioactive wastes that
fission generates. However, the use of fusion to generate electricity is complicated by a number of factors and
these factors present enormous engineering challenges.
Looking into ionizing power alone cannot predict the impact of radiation on matter, the penetrating power must
also be considered. Penetrating power refers to how far a photon or particle penetrates into a material before
its energy is absorbed or dissipated. Alpha particles, for example, have high energies and therefore have high
ionizing power. But because alpha particles are relatively large, it does not tend to penetrate deeply into matter.
The energy of the alpha particles is dissipated in the skin. Alpha particles originating outside the body usually
do not cause serious harm because they do not penetrate sufficiently to reach internal organs. But alpha
particles produced inside the body is very dangerous because their energy will be deposited in internal organs.
Just like for example inhaling radon gas, radon is a radioactive material that once inhaled, the radon atom
undergoes decay in the lungs. The dissipation of energy of the alpha particles produced during radon decay can
cause serious tissue damage.
Beta particles have lower energy than alpha particles, but because beta particles are smaller than alpha
particles, they can penetrate several centimeters into the body. Beta radiation is often more dangerous than
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alpha radiation because of its penetrating power. Gamma rays can pass entirely through the body, and their
interactions with atoms and molecules in vital organs can do great damage.
Both ionizing and penetrating power are important in assessing possible health effects of radiation exposure.
Expression of dose US SI
a. Exposure Roentgen (R)
1 R = 2.58 x 104 C/kg of dry air
Clicker Exercise 3
1. Compute the binding energy of the 7Li nucleus; the experimentally determined mass of 7Li is 7.016004 amu.
2. How much energy is released in the fission of 1 kg of 235U according to the equation below? The experimentally
determine masses of the products are 136.92532 amu and 96.91095 amu, respectively.
235
92U + 10n 137
52Te + 9740Zr + 2 10n
3. An average person is exposed to about 360 millirem of background radiation a year from a variety of sources.
Two-thirds of that comes from inhalation of 222Ra produced in soil. Given that 222Ra decays by alpha emission,
estimate the absorbed dose in a) Joules and b) Grays for a 60 kg person from one-year inhalation of radon.
References
1. Brown, WH & Holme, TA. (2011). Chemistry for Engineering Students. 2nd edition, Brooks/Cole, Centage
Learning, USA.
2. Gaffney J & Marley N. (2017). General Chemistry for Engineers. 1st edition, Elsevier Publishing.
3. Moore, JW, Stanitski, CL & Jurs, PC. (2005). Chemistry: The Molecular Science. 2nd edition, Brooks/Cole,
Thomson learning, Canada.
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