AP Physics 2: Nuclear Physics - Your Night Before Guide ☢️

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! 💪

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! 💡

• 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 💥

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. ⏳
• Parent vs. Daughter: The original unstable nuclide is the parent, and the resulting nuclide is the daughter.

Alpha Decay (α)

• 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. 📦

• Changes:

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