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Radioactive Decay

Chloe Sanchez

Chloe Sanchez

3 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers nuclear physics, focusing on nuclear reactions (including radioactive decay, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion) and the concept of half-life. It details the conservation laws governing these reactions, emphasizing the conservation of nucleon number and charge. The guide also explains the types of radioactive decay, such as alpha decay.

AP Physics 2: Nuclear Physics - Your Night Before Guide โ˜ข๏ธ

Hey there, future physicist! Let's get you prepped for the AP Physics 2 exam with a focused review of nuclear physics. Remember, you've got this! ๐Ÿ’ช

Nuclear Reactions: The Basics

Conservation Laws

  • Key Principle: Matter can change form, but it's neither created nor destroyed. In nuclear reactions, both nucleon number (total number of protons and neutrons) and charge must be conserved. It's like a cosmic accounting system! ๐Ÿ’ก

  • Types of Nuclear Reactions:

    • Radioactive decay: Spontaneous breakdown of unstable nuclei.
    • Nuclear fission: Splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter ones.
    • Nuclear fusion: Combining of light nuclei into a heavier one.

Radioactive Decay: Unstable Nuclei ๐Ÿ’ฅ

What is it?

  • Certain isotopes are unstable due to an imbalance of neutrons and protons. These radioactive isotopes undergo spontaneous decay, emitting particles and/or energy.
  • Half-life: The time it takes for half of a radioactive sample to decay. Think of it as the "expiration date" for half of your sample. โณ
  • Parent vs. Daughter: The original unstable nuclide is the parent, and the resulting nuclide is the daughter.
Key Concept

Types of Radioactive Decay

Alpha Decay (ฮฑ)

  • What is it? Emission of an alpha particle, which is essentially a helium-4 nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons).

  • How to remember? Alpha is like a big, slow-moving package. ๐Ÿ“ฆ

  • Changes:

    • Atomic number decreases by 2. * Mass number decreases by 4.

Question 1 of 7

In any nuclear reaction, what two quantities must always be conserved? ๐Ÿค”

Mass and Energy

Volume and Density

Nucleon number and Charge

Momentum and Kinetic energy