C6 Nuclear Physics

• Radioactive decay is a process where an unstable nucleus becomes a more stable nucleus by emitting radioactive radiation.
• Radioactive decay is a spontaneous, uncontrollable and random process.
• Alpha decay

  • unstable parent nucleus of an element releases an alpha particle/helium particle to become stable daughter nucleus of a different element (-4 Nucleon, -2 Protons)
• Beta Decay

  • unstable parent nucleus of an element releases beta particle/electron to become more stable daughter nucleus of a different element (-1 e, +1 proton)
• Gamma Decay

  • unstable nucleus releases its excess energy in form of gamma rays to become more stable (gamma ray are neutral and have no mass)
• Half-life is the time taken for the initial number of undecayed nuclei to reduce by half.
• Nuclear Energy is energy released during nuclear reactions such as radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
• Nuclear Fission

  • heavy nucleus split into two or more smaller and lighter nuclei after being bombarded by fast-moving neutron.
  • loss of mass
  • large amount of energy released
• Nuclear Fusion

  • two small and light nuclei fuse to form bigger and heavier nucleus
  • at very high temperature and pressure