Physics Core Concept Cheat Sheet

24: Nuclear Physics

- The weak nuclear force is weaker than the “strong nuclear
Key Nuclear Physics Terms force” – only 10-13 times as strong! Sometimes is overcome
Proton: A positively charged subatomic particle forming part by other forces causing the atom to cleave or give off
of the nucleus of an atom and determining the atomic radiation.
number of an element. - Binding energy can be calculated using E=mc2.
Neutron: A subatomic particle forming part of the nucleus of - Binding energy is the energy needed to hold the nucleus and
an atom and having no charge. its particles together.
Nucleon: A proton or a neutron. - Binding energy comes from the actual mass of the particles
Atomic Number: The number, equal to the number of in the nucleus!
protons in an atom that determines its chemical properties. - On this scale, it is convenient to use the electron-volt as a
Symbol: Z unit of energy.
Atomic Mass: The mass of an atom expressed in atomic - Conversion: 1 eV= 1.602 x 10-19 J
mass units.
Strong (nuclear) Force: A fundamental force that is The Nucleus and Nuclear Physics
associated with the strong bonds between quarks and other Atomic Nucleus
subatomic particles.
Weak (nuclear) Force: One of the four fundamental forces
that is associated with nuclear decay. Particles Radiation Applications
Binding Energy: The energy needed to separate the
constituent parts of an atom or nucleus
Mass Defect: The difference between the mass of an atom Protons Neutrons Alpha Beta Gamma
and the sum of the masses of its individual components.
Electron-Volt: A unit of energy Half Life Atomic Nuclear
Mass-Energy Equivalence: All mass represents an Bombs Power
equivalent amount of energy. 1 amu = 931 MeV. Medical
Radioactivity: Emission of radiation as a consequence of a
nuclear reaction, or directly from the breakdown of an Atomic Atomic
unstable nucleus. Number Mass
Half Life: The time required for half of the nuclei in a
sample of a specific isotope to undergo radioactive decay.
Alpha Particle: A positively charged helium nucleus Isotopes
(consisting of two protons and two neutrons).
Beta Particle: An energetic electron produced as the result
Calculating Binding Energy
of a nuclear reaction or nuclear decay. 1. Determine the masses of each of the 4 particles
Gamma Particle/Ray: Very high frequency electromagnetic individually.
radiation emitted as a consequence of radioactivity. 2. Determine the mass of a He nucleus.
Fission: The process whereby one item splits to become two. 3. The difference between the two provides “m”.
Tomography: Imaging by sections or sectioning. 4. Use m in the equation E=mc2 to calculate E.
Nuclear Structure Key Facts Radioactive Decay
- The atom is thought of as electrons in a cloud moving „ Radioactive decay usually takes on one of three specific
around a compact nucleus. forms, known as alpha, beta and gamma decay.
- The nucleus is made of protons and neutrons, also known „ It is useful to know the amount of time needed for half of
as nucleons. a sample to decay – this is called the “half-life”.
- The nucleus is held together by extremely short-ranged „ Alpha decay results in the emission of a helium nucleus
forces called the “strong force” and the “weak force” Relatively large
- Conventional symbols are used to quickly communicate the Relatively slow
make-up of a nucleus. Relatively low energy
- The nucleus is made of two types of particles. Atoms may Stopped more easily than other decay particles
have up to about 100 protons and about 150 neutrons! „ Beta decay results in a different nucleus of the same
- Protons are positively charged particles that have a mass of atomic mass but atomic number 1 greater.
about 1 atomic mass unit (amu). Larger, faster and higher energy than alpha particle
- Neutrons are particles with NO charge and a mass of about Greater ability to penetrate than alpha particle
1 atomic mass unit (amu). „ Gamma rays are usually highly energetic
- Isotope (ī´sƏ-tōp´) – One of two or more atoms having the „ No new element is formed; rather the remaining nucleus
same atomic number but different mass numbers. is less energetic
- The strong nuclear force holds nuclear particles together. Massless
- The strong nuclear force keeps protons and neutrons from Move at the speed of light – high energy
breaking apart into yet smaller particles. Penetrate most matter
- The strong nuclear force acts over a very small distance „ Half-Life – Amount of TIME taken for one half of the
(10-15 m). original nuclei to decay.
- The weak nuclear force is the force that acts to hold nucleus
Nuclear Applications
together.
- The weak nuclear force acts over a very small distance Nuclear power plants have provided energy for half a
(distances no larger than a nucleus). century.
Atomic bombs are based on fission and among the most
How to Use This Cheat Sheet: These are the keys related this destructive weapons ever created.
topic. Try to read through it carefully twice then recite it out Medical applications of radioactivity are commonplace in our
on a blank sheet of paper. Review it again before the exams. society, and are seen in cancer therapy, tracers, tomography
(PET scans), NMRs and MRIs.

RapidLearningCenter.com ©2006 - 2007 All Right Reserved