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Chapter 19: Problem 36

How is nuclear transmutation achieved in practice?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Nuclear transmutation, the conversion of one chemical element into another, is achieved in practice through natural or spontaneous radioactive decay, induced transmutation by bombardment of high-speed particles or other atomic nuclei, and in nuclear reactors, where operations such as neutron capture followed by beta decay lead to fission and subsequent transmutation.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Concept of Nuclear Transmutation

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one chemical element or an isotope into another. This process can occur naturally through radioactive decay, or it can be artificially induced through the bombardment of a nucleus with subatomic particles or other nuclei.
02

Natural or Spontaneous Transmutation

In natural transmutation, an unstable nucleus will release particles in order to lose energy and become more stable. The release of these particles changes the number of protons in the nucleus, which results in the transmutation of the element. An example is the alpha decay of radon-222 to polonium-218, during which radon loses two neutrons and two protons.
03

Artificial or Induced Transmutation

Artificial nuclear transmutation involves causing a nuclear reaction by bombarding the nucleus of a stable or unstable atom with high-speed particles or other atomic nuclei. Through this, the number of protons in the nucleus is usually altered, thus changing the element. An example is the transmutation of nitrogen into carbon when it is bombarded with alpha particles.
04

Nuclear Reactor Transmutation

In a nuclear reactor, nuclear transmutation can occur when a uranium-235 nucleus absorbs a neutron, forming uranium-236. This isotope then decays into two smaller elements, barium and krypton, along with several neutrons.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Calculate the energy released (in joules) from the following fusion reaction: $${ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H}+{ }_{1}^{3} \mathrm{H} \longrightarrow{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n}$$ The atomic masses are \({ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H}=2.0140 \mathrm{amu},{ }_{1}^{3} \mathrm{H}=3.01603\) \(\mathrm{amu},{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He}=4.00260 \mathrm{amu},{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n}=1.008665 \mathrm{amu}\).

Explain how an atomic bomb works.

The following equations are for nuclear reactions that are known to occur in the explosion of an atomic bomb. Identify X. (a) \({ }_{92}^{235} \mathrm{U}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \longrightarrow{ }_{56}^{140} \mathrm{Ba}+3{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n}+\mathrm{X}\) (b) \({ }_{92}^{235} \mathrm{U}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \longrightarrow{ }_{55}^{144} \mathrm{Cs}+{ }_{37}^{90} \mathrm{Rb}+2 \mathrm{X}\) (c) \({ }_{92}^{235} \mathrm{U}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \longrightarrow{ }_{35}^{87} \mathrm{Br}+3{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n}+\mathrm{X}\) (d) \({ }_{92}^{235} \mathrm{U}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} \longrightarrow{ }_{62}^{160} \mathrm{Sm}+{ }_{30}^{72} \mathrm{Zn}+4 \mathrm{X}\).

Calculate the nuclear binding energy (in \(\mathrm{J}\) ) and the binding energy per nucleon of the following isotopes: (a) \({ }_{3}^{7} \mathrm{Li}(7.01600 \mathrm{amu}),(\mathrm{b}){ }_{17}^{35} \mathrm{Cl}(34.95952 \mathrm{amu})\).

A person received an anonymous gift of a decorative box, which he placed on his desk. A few months later he became ill and died shortly afterward. After investigation, the cause of his death was linked to the box. The box was airtight and had no toxic chemicals on it. What might have killed the man?
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