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When atoms undergo nuclear fission , the result is always two different atoms very much less massive than the parent. For fusion, the resulting atom or atoms are usually of a different element, but not always.
Part of the trick to understanding this is that in these types of reactions, the numbers of protons and neutrons going in has to be the same as the number coming out, though some of the decay reactions other than fission turn a proton into a neutron or the other way around. Another thing to remember is that the number of protons determines the element of an atom.
FusionWhen we fuse atoms, we are taking neutrons and protons from the nuclei of the two atoms and putting them into a single daughter atom. A typical example of a fusion reaction is:12H + 12H --> 23He + 01n
In this reaction, the symbol 12H represents hydrogen (atomic symbol H), with the 2 indicating the number of protons plus the number of neutrons, and 1 being the number of protons; this can be read as hydrogen-2. Similarly, 23He is helium-3, and 01n is a silly way to represent a neutron, but it makes the balancing of the equation obvious.
We might imagine that fusion always produces an atom of a new element, but this is not the case. It is possible to fuse two helium atoms to produce a heavier helium atom plus a pair of protons, which are essentially hydrogen atoms. A reaction follows:
23He + 23He --> 24He + 11p + 11p
So two atoms of helium are combined to produce one atom of helium plus a couple of particles.
FissionAtoms have to be pretty heavy to undergo fission, which is what happens when one atom splits into two atoms. Again, the number of protons is kept the same in fission, as is the number of neutrons. But here, the parent atom has a number of protons, and the daughter atoms combine to have that number of protons. Clearly fission cannot happen without the daughter atoms being entirely different from the parent. An example equation for fission is as follows (but bear in mind that the uranium fission equation can take many different forms with many different results):92235U --> 3692 Kr + 56140Ba + 2 01n
Other types of decayThere are many other types of nuclear decay with a single atom undergoing some sort of change to produce another single atom. In most of them, the daughter atom is of a different element than the parent, but this is not true in all cases. In decay involving producing only a gamma ray, for example, there is only a slight change in the mass of the atom. For example:99mTc --> 99Tc + gamma
What else can I help you with?
What is a powerful machine that moved nuclear particles fast enough to make larger nuclei when the particles collide?
A particle accelerator is a powerful machine capable of moving nuclear particles close to the speed of light and then colliding them to generate larger nuclei. This process can create new elements and isotopes through nuclear fusion reactions.
What causes transmutation?
Transmutation is caused by changing the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which can occur through nuclear reactions such as fission or fusion. These reactions can result in the transformation of one element into another, creating new isotopes or elements.
How does the process of proton split occur in nuclear reactions?
In nuclear reactions, proton split occurs when a high-energy proton collides with a nucleus, causing the nucleus to break apart into smaller particles. This process releases energy and can lead to the creation of new elements.
Using particle accelerators scientists often use to synthesize heavier elements.?
Particle accelerators, such as cyclotrons or linear accelerators, are used to bombard target atoms with high-energy particles to induce nuclear reactions that can form heavier elements. By colliding atomic nuclei at high speeds, these machines can create new elements that are not naturally found on Earth. This process allows scientists to study the properties of these synthetic elements and further our understanding of nuclear physics.
What is artificial transmutation?
Artificial transmutation is the process of changing one element into another by bombarding the target element with high-energy particles such as protons or neutrons. This method is commonly used in nuclear reactions to create new elements or isotopes that do not exist in nature.
Can nuclear reactions create new atoms?
Yes, it is very possible from many years !
What is the type of nuclear reaction that results in the production of synthetic elements?
The type of nuclear reaction that results in the production of synthetic elements is nuclear fusion. This process involves combining atomic nuclei to create new, heavier elements. In a controlled environment such as a nuclear reactor, scientists can create synthetic elements that do not occur naturally on Earth.
What is the difference between chemical reation and nuclear reation?
Chemical reactions involve the breaking and forming of chemical bonds between atoms to create new substances, while nuclear reactions involve the changes in the nucleus of an atom, resulting in the formation of different isotopes or elements. Chemical reactions typically involve changes in electron distribution, whereas nuclear reactions involve changes in the structure of the atom's nucleus. Additionally, nuclear reactions release much larger amounts of energy compared to chemical reactions.
To make most synthetic elements scientist use machines called?
Particle accelerators are often used to create most synthetic elements. These machines accelerate particles to high speeds and then collide them to form new elements through nuclear reactions.
Can new elements be produced in a chemical reaction can new molecules be produced through a chemical reaction?
New elements can by obtained only by nuclear reactions.New molecules can be obtained by chemical reactions.
Can nuclear reactions create new molecules?
We don't generally think of nuclear reactions creating new molecules. A nuclear reaction is a reaction involving the nucleus of an atom (in the case of fission) or atoms (in the case of fusion). The manipulation or creation of new molecules is usually left in the domain of the science of chemistry, and not nuclear physics.
How are some elements made by scientist?
Some elements are made by scientists through nuclear reactions, such as bombarding a target material with high-energy particles to transmute its atoms into new elements. Another method is using particle accelerators to create new elements by synthesizing them from lighter elements. These processes typically require specialized equipment and expertise.
Why were Hahn and Meitner bombarding nuclei with neutrons in the first place?
Hahn and Meitner were bombarding nuclei with neutrons to induce nuclear reactions, hoping to create new elements and understand nuclear structures. This technique allowed them to study the process of nuclear fission, which eventually led to the discovery of nuclear energy and the development of nuclear weapons.
Are there new elements to the periodic table?
Every naturally occurring element has probably been found by now, but new elements have be made from nuclear reactions in laboratories, and this will probably continue with better technology.
Why must a synchrotron be used to create a?
By the intermediate of a nuclear reaction this new element is obtained.Now heavy elements are bombarded with nuclei from other elements.
Synthetic elements are produced in nuclear reactors and also by using?
particle accelerators. These methods involve bombarding target elements with high-energy particles to induce nuclear reactions that form new elements. The elements produced in this way are usually radioactive and have short half-lives.
Are there more new elements left to be discovered?
It is possible that there are still new elements left to be discovered, especially in the superheavy region of the periodic table. Scientists continue to search for new elements by creating them in laboratories through nuclear reactions. However, the discovery of new elements is a challenging and complex process.
