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Nuclear Physics

Most commonly known for its applications in nuclear energy and nuclear weapons, Nuclear Physics also has applications in medicine and archaeology. This category is for questions about the branch of physics that deals with the study of the forces, reactions, and internal structures of atomic nuclei, Nuclear Physics.

3,164 Questions

What are two ways that an alpha particle is different from the electron beta-decay particle?

A alpha particle is a helium-4, written 24He, nucleus, and it is composed of a pair of protons and a pair of neutrons fused together. It's charge is +2. A beta particle could be either a beta + particle, which is a positron, or a beta - particle, which is an electron. The electron (beta -) has a charge of -1, and the positron (beta +) has a charge of +1. In summary, the alpha is +2, the beta minus is -1, and the beta plus is +1.

A difference between uranium 235 and plutonium 239?

Uranium 235 has 92 protons and electrons, 143 neutrons, atomic mass is cca. 235, is a natural isotope. Plutonium 239 has 94 protons and electrons, 145 neutrons, atomic mass is cca. 239, is an artificial isotope. Plutonium is more toxic than uranium. Also are differences in the types of radiations emmited, half-life and many other chemical and physical properties.

As you leap upward from the ground how does the force that you exert on the ground compare with your weight?

As you leap upward from the ground, the force exerted on the ground in the moment of leaping is greater than your weight. This allows you to accelerate upwards. Gravity, of course, will bring you back down, causing another momentary force on the ground in excess of your weight as you decelerate.

Can quarks be broken down any more in any way?

Quarks are considered now unbreakable fundamental particles.

Are beta emission and beta decay the same?

There is a difference between beta emitters and beta particles. In situations where an atomic nucleus exhibits nuclear instability due to too many neutrons for the number of protons or vice versa, that nucleus may undergo beta decay. It the decay event occurs, that atom is considered a beta emitter. The emitted particle is the beta particle. That's the difference. (There are two different beta particles, so check the articles on beta decay to get the scoop.)

The highest occupied energy level of an atom?

The highest occupied energy level of an atom is known as the valence shell, where the valence electrons reside. These electrons play a key role in determining the atom's chemical properties and how it interacts with other atoms. The number of electrons in the valence shell often dictates an atom's reactivity and ability to form chemical bonds.

Alpha particles are equal to?

Any element that needs to emit it in order to stabilise. And they are not the nuclei of the element, they are made up of two protons and two neutrons, and it is also the most ionising radiation as well.

Why do beta particles have a higher ionizing power than gamma particles?

No,Aplha has a helium nucleus,implying that it is inert.Beta is a highly energetic electron,implying it is ionised,hence it can ionize further than that.Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves they dont ionise.However the three particles ionizes other particles they come into contact with.

How is chain reaction controlled in a nuclear power plant?

The radiation shield used on a large scale for fixed shielding is concrete. This is effective because the large mass of concrete absorbs gamma radiation well, and as it contains a lot of water molecules it also stops neutrons from penetrating.

Which changes in beta decay mass number or the charge of the nucleus?

Beta decay results in either an increase or decrease in the number of protons, which results in a change in the nuclear charge and produces an atom of a different element.

What plant is used to detect radioactivity?

Certain types of spiderwort are used to detect radioactivity. Specifically the Ohio spiderwort, Tradscantia ohiensis can show low levels of radioactivity when the stamen hairs, which are normally blue, grow pink as a result of genetic mutation.

What is the half life of phosphoru's-32?

Ignoring the self-negation in the question, the stable isotope of phosphorous is P31.

Other isotopes range from P28 at 28ms through to P35 at 47seconds.

Not ignoring the self-negation in the question, a stable isotope, by definition, doesn't decay, and therefore has no half-life.

What components make up an alpha particle?

The alpha particle is the nucleus of 4He, comprising two neutrons and two protons. It has a atomic mass of 4 and a charge of +2. As a result, it is the least penetrating of all the various emissions (alpha, beta, gamma, neutron) but, unfortunately, it can be the most devastating if it is absorbed, for instance, into the lungs.

What element is used as fuel in nuclear power plants?

uranium and plutonium are the two most commonly used fuels in nuclear power plants. when i first looked it up using this site, it completely failed. after finding my answer on Wikipedia i came back here to enrich the site's knowledge and help others

What part of the atom was discovered by Rutherford?

Rutherford discovered the atomic nucleus and the proton.

A short answer for the Rutherford atomic model: the atom is composed from a central part - a nucleus, positively charged, surrounded by electrons - very small negative charged particles.

Is nuclear energy the same as nuclear fission?

One of the sources of nuclear energy is nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is the splitting of heavy nuclei (as U-235) when bombarded by neutrons. The nuclear fission results in loss of mass (or mass defect) that transforms into energy according to formula E = mc2 (c is light velocity). The resulting energy manifests itself as heat energy that produces steam. The steam spins the turbines that spins electric generators and hence producing electricity.

What is the term for the element that a radioactive isotope decay into?

The term for the element that a radioactive isotope decays into is called the "daughter product". During radioactive decay, the original isotope transforms into a different element or isotope through a series of decay reactions.

The overall charge of the nucleus is?

The overall charge of a nucleus is positive.

The nucleus is consisted of protons and neutrons. Protons have a positive charge and neutrons have a neutral charge. Electrons have a negative charge but are located in the shell orbiting the nucleus, so their charge is not included in the nucleus' charge. Since the only particles in the nucleus either have a positive or neutral charge, the nucleus will always be positive.

How much cesium with a half life 2 years would remain from a sample after 4 years?

The equation for half-life is ...

AT = A0 2 (-T/H)

... where A0 is the starting activity, AT is the activity at some time T, and H is the half-life, in units of T.

55134Cs has a half-life of 2.0652 years. Plugging in the known values, we get ...

AT = 5.8 2 (-11.5/2.0652)

AT = 5.8 2 -5.5685

AT = 0.12222

Why are neutrons frequently used as projectiles in transmutation reactions?

Neutrons are the essential carriers of the chain reaction. They can penetrate a nucleus like that of U-235, being uncharged, and cause it to split apart. This releases more neutrons enabling a chain reaction.

How can nuclear fission be used?

Nuclear fission can be used to generate electricity through nuclear power plants. It works by splitting atoms of heavy elements, such as uranium, to release a large amount of energy, which is then harnessed to produce electricity. This process is a reliable source of energy production with low carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels.

What type of nuclear radiation can be blocked by a block of lead Beta particles or alpha particles?

Alpha particles can be blocked by a block of lead due to their relatively low penetrating power, while beta particles may require a thicker shield, such as a piece of aluminum or plastic, depending on their energy. Lead is not as effective at blocking beta particles as it is for alpha particles.