Nuclear Unit Study Guide
**Nuclear Unit Study Guide**
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**PART 1: Atomic Structure**
- **Proton**: Charge = +1, located in the nucleus
- **Neutron**: Charge = 0, located in the nucleus
- **Electron**: Charge = -1, located in the electron cloud
- **Nucleons**: Protons and neutrons (make up the nucleus)
- **Smallest Subatomic Particle**: Electron
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**PART 2: Fundamental Forces**
- **Strong Nuclear Force**: Holds protons and neutrons together (strongest, acts at shortest range)
- **Weak Nuclear Force**: Responsible for beta decay
- **Electromagnetic Force**: Attraction/repulsion between charges
- **Gravitational Force**: Attraction between masses (weakest, acts over greatest distance)
**Stability Concepts**
- **Stable Neutron/Proton Ratio**: Between 1:1 and 1.5:1
- **Unstable Atom Indicators**:
- 90n/60p -> Unstable
- 80n/80p -> Stable
Nuclear Unit Study Guide
- **Opposing Forces in Stable Nucleus**: Strong nuclear force vs. electromagnetic repulsion
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**PART 3: Atomic Numbers & Nuclear Reactions**
- **Lead**: Atomic number = 82
- **Chromium**: Mass number = 52
- **Plutonium-244**: Nucleons = 244
- **Thorium**: 90 electrons
- **Uranium-240**:
- Protons = 92
- Electrons = 92
- Neutrons = 148
- Nucleons = 240
**Nuclear Reactions**
- **Fusion**: Combines light nuclei, releases energy
- **Fission**: Splits heavy nuclei, releases energy
- **Mass-Energy Conversion**: Lost mass becomes energy (E=mc²)
**Decay Types**
- **Alpha Decay**: Releases a helium nucleus
- **Beta Decay**: Neutron -> Proton + Electron
- **Gamma Decay**: Energy released only
Nuclear Unit Study Guide
**Sample Equations**
- **Beta Decay of U-214**: 214U -> 214Np + beta-
- **Gamma Decay of U-215**: 215U -> 215U + gamma
**Conservation Principle**
- Total number of nucleons remains constant during nuclear reactions
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**PART 4 & 5: Half-Life & Decay**
- **Half-Life**: Time for half a radioactive sample to decay
- **Decay Graph Behavior**: Never reaches zero; only approaches it
- **After 3 Half-Lives**:
- Parent material = 6.25g
- Daughter material = 43.75g (from 50g starting)
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**PART 6: Elements Quick Facts**
- **Carbon**: 6 electrons
- **Aluminum**: 13 protons
- **Sulfur**: 16 neutrons (from mass 32 - protons 16)
- **Titanium**: Atomic number = 22
- **Francium**: Atomic mass ~ 223
Nuclear Unit Study Guide
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**Additional Earth Science Concepts**
- **Absolute vs. Relative Dating**:
- *Absolute Dating*: Provides numeric age (uses isotopes)
- *Relative Dating*: Compares age order (older vs. younger)
- **More Accurate Dating Method**: Radiometric dating
- **Best Isotope for 4.5 Billion-Year-Old Rocks**: Uranium-238
- **Most Stable Neutron/Proton Ratio**: Close to 1:1
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**Fun Opinions**
- Best ice cream: Cookies and cream
- Greatest band/singer: (Opinion-based, e.g., Queen)
- Best soda: (Opinion-based, e.g., Dr. Pepper)
