Artificial TransmutationArtificial Transmutation

• The man made synthesis of radioactive isotopes

• Created via bombardment of atomic nuclei with high energy particles via a particle accelerator

1. Protons

2. Alpha Particles

3. Other Charged Nuclei

• Alpha, beta, and positron decay are natural transmutation

Particle AcceleratorsParticle Accelerators

• Two types

1. Cyclotron

2. Linear Accelerator

• Purpose is to give particles enough kinetic energy to overcome nuclear repulsion

CyclotronCyclotron

Linear AcceleratorLinear Accelerator

What would happen if the Large Hadron Collider (a What would happen if the Large Hadron Collider (a particle accelerator) produced a microsingularity particle accelerator) produced a microsingularity (black hole)?(black hole)?

Be

EquationsEquations

4

9H+ 1

1 Li36 + He2

4

The sum of the subscripts and superscripts on the right and left must be equal

Al13

27+ He2

4 P1530 + n0

1

n01

+ Al13

27 Na11

24+ He2

4

Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fission • A heavy nucleus is split into two smaller nuclei with release of energy

• Mass is converted to energy (E = mc2)

n01

U92

235+ Kr36

92 Ba56

141+ + 3 n0

1

Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fission

•Uncontrolled fission is an atomic bomb

• Controlled fission is a nuclear power plant

Chain Reaction

Nuclear Fusion

• Two lighter nuclei are fused to form a heavier nucleus

• The process that occurs in stars and thermonuclear weapons (hydrogen bombs)

H11

4 He24 + e-1

02 + energy (E = mc2)

H12

2 He24

+ energy (E = mc2)

Hydrogen Bomb Hydrogen Bomb ExplosionExplosion

Uses of Radioisotopes

• Tracers

1. Carbon-14 for photosynthesis

2. Iodine-131 for thyroid disorders

3. Technetium-99 for diagnosis of brain tumors

4. Carbon-13 for real-time brain imaging (PET Scan)

5. 1-4 all have short half-lives (Why is this important?)

Uses of Radioisotopes

• Radiation therapy for cancer

• Irradiation of food

• Radioactive dating

1. Carbon-14 for dating organic remains

2. Potassium-40 for dating rocks

3. Uranium-238 for determining the age of the earth

Dangers of Nuclear MaterialsDangers of Nuclear Materials

• Long half-lives nuclear waste products

• Radiation poisoning

• Cancer

• Nuclear Weapons