3. •Nuclear Chemistry
• In
this chapter we will look at nuclear
reactions.
–Radioactive decay is the
process in which a nucleus
spontaneously
disintegrates, giving off
radiation.
4. •Nuclear Equations
In nuclear equations, we balance nucleons
(protons and neutrons). The atomic number
(number of protons) and the mass number
(number of nucleons) are conserved during the
reaction.
5. •Nuclear Equations
•Anuclear equation is a symbolic
representation of a nuclear reaction
using nuclide symbols.
– For example, the nuclide symbol for uranium-238 is
238
92 U
6. •The Nucleus
• Remember that the nucleus is comprised of
the two nucleons, protons and neutrons.
• The number of protons is the atomic number.
• The number of protons and neutrons together
is effectively the mass of the atom.
