Nuclear Reaction

• Nuclear reactions involve combining a nucleus with another nucleus (fusion) or splitting it up into smaller nuclei (fission)
• Your toolbox of particles includes:

  • Alpha Particle: 𝛼, 4 protons, 2 neutrons
  • Beta Particle/Electron: 𝛽, 0 protons, -1 electron
  • Gamma Wave: 𝛾, 0 protons, 0 neutrons
  • Positron: e, 0 protons, +1 charge
  • Neutron: n, 1 proton, 0 charge
  • Proton: p, 1 proton, 1 charge
• • Bombardment with an Alpha Particle: An Alpha Particle is Gained (e.g., Alpha Bombardment of Lead - 206)
• Types of nuclear reactions:

  • Alpha Decay: Loss of an Alpha Particle (e.g., Alpha Decay of Radium - 226)
  • Beta Decay: Loss of a Beta Particle (e.g., Beta Decay of Iodine - 131)
  • Gamma Emission: Emission of a Gamma Ray, usually after a different nuclear reaction (e.g., Gamma Emission of Thorium - 234 after alpha decay of U - 238)
  • Positron Emission: Loss of a Positron (e.g., Positron Emission of Carbon - 11)
  • Electron Capture: An electron is added to the nucleus (e.g., Electron Capture of Rubidium - 81)
• Cosmic phases:

  • The BIG Bang
  • Stellar Formation & Evolution
  • Stellar Explosion
  • Protons, Neutrons, Nucleosynthesis: Hydrogen, Helium, Some Lithium, and Some Beryllium
  • Stars are formed, gravity compresses hydrogen, helium, Heavier Elements depending on size of star, until Iron
  • Supernova occurs, heavy elements crash into others, Elements heavier than Iron
• Identifying Cosmic Phase:

  1. Scan the nuclear equation. Look for the species with the highest atomic number.

  2. Based on the formation of elements during the cosmic phases, identify the cosmic phase when it was formed. This serves as the cosmic phase when the nuclear equation first happened to form the element involved.