NUCLEAR TRANSMUTATION
Definition:
"A nuclear reaction involves the conversion of unstable radioactive element to stable new element with the emission of some radioactive rays. This conversion of unstable radioactive element to stable nuclei is called nuclear transmutation."
Explanation
The transmutation reactions are explained as
Elastic Scattering
" The process in which no energy is transferred between target nucleus a and projectile nucleus X is called elastic scattering."
If a and b are identical particles, then X and Y also be identical inelastic scattering. If the kinetic energy of the system is same both before and after the event , then
Q= 0 and all nuclides remain in their ground states.
e.g.
Pb208 (n, n) Pb208 Q = 0 Inelastic Scattering
Definition
" The process is called inelastic scattering when energy is transferred between target nucleus and projectile nucleus."
e.g.
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Where a and b have different kinetic energies and Y or b may be left in an excited state. When incident particle is complicated nuclide, it may be also left in excited state. This process is called mutual excitation.
e.g.
Pb208 (n, n) Pb*208
The reactions for Q > 0 are called exothermic. The reactions for Q < 0 are called endothermic reactions.
Exothermic Nuclear Reaction
Definition
" The nuclear reaction is called exothermic nuclear reaction when value of Q is positive because kinetic energy of the products is greater than that of the reactants."
The total mass of the reactants is greater than total mass of products in exothermic nuclear reaction. In exothermic nuclear reaction, the mass of products is lost.
The kinetic energy of the products increases because binding energy is converted into kinetic energy of final products. There is net release of energy in +Q reactions or exothermic nuclear reactions.
The exothermic nuclear reaction is written as when fluorine F19 is bombarded with proton H1
H1 + F19 → O16 + He4
This reaction is exothermic nuclear reaction because Q value of nuclear reaction is Q = + 8.13 MeV
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Endothermic Nuclear Reaction
Definition
" In endothermic nuclear reaction, the value of Q is negative."
In endothermic nuclear reaction, there is a decrease in kinetic energy of products. The initial kinetic energy is converted into mass or binding energy. The mass is gained in exothermic nuclear reaction. The -Q reactions or endothermic nuclear reactions requires a net energy input.
The nuclear reaction is written as when tritium H3 is bombarded with proton of 5.70MeV
H1 + H3 → H2 + H2
Types of Nuclear Transmutation
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Definition
" The natural Transmutation does not require any external initiation. Hence reactions are spontaneous in nature.
ZX A → Z-nYA-n + Energy (n= 0,1,2,3,...)
The radiations during natural transmutation may have three types.
Artificial Transmutation
Definition
" It is a non-spontaneous process. One element is converted to another element by the bombardment of high energy radiation or neutron."
a + ZX A → Z-nYA-n + b
Different Methods of Nuclear Transmutation
Click above to know about methods.
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