Nuclear Reactor Fuel Uranium ore is refined then formed into
pellets.
Slide 9
Nuclear Reactor Fuel These Pellets are then put into Fuel rods
which are Assembled Into packs of Fuel Rod Assemblies
Slide 10
Nuclear Reaction
Slide 11
This cannot Happen
Slide 12
Parts Of an Atom Protons Neutrons electrons
Slide 13
Protons Protons have a positive charge and are located in the
nucleus of the atom.
Slide 14
Neutrons Neutrons are located in the nucleus and have no
charge
Slide 15
Electron are found on The outside of the atom. An electrically
balanced atom will have the same number of electrons and protons
Electrons
Slide 16
What is Nuclear Decay? Nuclear decay is when the nucleus goes
through a splitting process called nuclear Fission resulting in a
different element(s) along with other products including ionizing
radiation.
Slide 17
Ionizing Radiation Ionizing radiation is produced by unstable
atoms. Unstable atoms differ from stable atoms because they have an
excess of energy or mass or both. Ionizing radiation is produced by
unstable atoms. Unstable atoms differ from stable atoms because
they have an excess of energy or mass or both. Unstable atoms are
said to be radioactive. In order to reach stability, these atoms
give off, or emit, the excess energy or mass. These emissions are
called radiation. Unstable atoms are said to be radioactive. In
order to reach stability, these atoms give off, or emit, the excess
energy or mass. These emissions are called radiation. Ionizing
radiation is produced by unstable atoms. Unstable atoms differ from
stable atoms because they have an excess of energy or mass or both.
Ionizing radiation is produced by unstable atoms. Unstable atoms
differ from stable atoms because they have an excess of energy or
mass or both. Unstable atoms are said to be radioactive. In order
to reach stability, these atoms give off, or emit, the excess
energy or mass. These emissions are called radiation. Unstable
atoms are said to be radioactive. In order to reach stability,
these atoms give off, or emit, the excess energy or mass. These
emissions are called radiation.
Slide 18
4 types of ionizing Radiation Alpha Helium Nucleus Alpha Helium
Nucleus Beta Electron Beta Electron Gamma EM Radiation Gamma EM
Radiation Neutrons N 0 Neutrons N 0 These are other products that
can be produced along with the new element
Slide 19
Ionizing Radiation alpha particle beta particle Radioactive
Atom X-ray gamma ray Neutron
Slide 20
Alpha radiation Nucleus of a helium atom Nucleus of a helium
atom Symbolically represented: Symbolically represented: Chemically
written: 4 He 2 Chemically written: 4 He 2 Least Destructive
Radiation Least Destructive Radiation Can be stopped by a sheet of
thick paper Can be stopped by a sheet of thick paper
Slide 21
Alpha Particles: 2 neutrons and 2 protons They travel short
distances, have large mass Only a hazard when inhaled Alpha
Particles
Slide 22
Beta radiation Electron Electron Symbolically represented:
Symbolically represented: Chemically written: e - Chemically
written: e - More Destructive than Alpha Radiation More Destructive
than Alpha Radiation
Slide 23
Beta Particles Beta Particles: Electrons or positrons having
small mass and variable energy. Electrons form when a neutron
transforms into a proton and an electron or:
Slide 24
Gamma radiation High energy Electro-Magnetic Radiation High
energy Electro-Magnetic Radiation Symbolically represented:
Symbolically represented: Most Destructive Radiation Most
Destructive Radiation Very difficult to stop Very difficult to
stop
Slide 25
Gamma Rays Gamma Rays (or photons): Result when the nucleus
releases Energy, usually after an alpha, beta or positron
transition
Slide 26
Neutron Radiation High energy radiation High energy radiation
Symbolically written as n Symbolically written as n Chemically
written n 0 Chemically written n 0 Is a result of fission and/or
fusion Is a result of fission and/or fusion Often produced in
particle accelerators Often produced in particle accelerators New
Evidence suggests that Neutrinos (neutron radiation) can travel
faster than light New Evidence suggests that Neutrinos (neutron
radiation) can travel faster than light
Slide 27
Nuclear Half-Life Equation N i * (1/2) nt1/2 = N f N i * (1/2)
nt1/2 = N f N i Initial amount of radioactive material N i Initial
amount of radioactive material nt1/2 -# of half-lives nt1/2 -# of
half-lives N f Final amount of radioactive material N f Final
amount of radioactive material To get nt1/2, you must divide time
given in problem by the half-life.
Slide 28
Nuclear halflife examples Polonium210 Polonium210 Half Life:
138 days Half Life: 138 days Alpha decay Alpha decay Strontium90
Strontium90 Half Life: 28.5 years Half Life: 28.5 years Beta decay
Beta decay Cobalt60 Cobalt60 Half Life: 5.27 years Half Life: 5.27
years Gamma decay Gamma decay
Slide 29
Alpha Decay Example Polonium210 Half Life: 138 days Alpha decay
If you have 48kg of Polonium 210, How much will be left after 138
days? How much will be left after 276 days? (2 half lives) How much
will be left after 414 days? (3 half lives) Ans: 24 kg Ans: 12 kg
Ans: 6 kg
Slide 30
Beta Decay Example Strontium90 Half Life: 28.5 years Beta decay
If you have 30kg of Strontium 90, How much will be left after 28.5
years? How much will be left after 57 years? (2 half lives) How
much will be left after 85.5 years? (3 half lives) Ans: 15 kg Ans:
7.5 kg Ans: 3.75 kg
Slide 31
Gamma Decay Example Cobalt60 Half Life: 5.27 years Gamma decay
If you have 1 kg of Cobolt 60, How much will be left after 5.27
years? How much will be left after 10.54 years? (2 half lives) How
much will be left after 15.81 years? (3 half lives) Ans: 0.5 kg
Ans: 0.25 kg Ans: 0.125 kg
