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Related Concept Videos

Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations03:18

Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations

Nuclear chemistry is the study of reactions that involve changes in nuclear structure. The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and, except for hydrogen, neutrons. The number of protons in the nucleus is called the atomic number (Z) of the element, and the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are isotopes of the same element.
A nuclide of an element has a specific number of protons and...
Types of Radioactivity03:23

Types of Radioactivity

The most common types of radioactivity are α decay, β decay, γ decay, neutron emission, and electron capture.
Alpha (α) decay is the emission of an α particle from the nucleus. For example, polonium-210 undergoes α decay:
Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together in the...
Nuclear Transmutation03:20

Nuclear Transmutation

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with another particle. The first manmade nucleus was produced in Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory in 1919 by a transmutation reaction, the bombardment of one type of nuclei with other nuclei or with neutrons. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen-14 atoms with high-speed α particles from a natural radioactive isotope of radium and observed protons being...
Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating02:48

Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating

Radioactivity is a spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nuclide and is a random process, as all the nuclei in the sample do not decay simultaneously. The number of disintegrations per unit time is called the activity (A), which is directly proportional to the number of nuclei in the sample. The decay constant (λ) is an average probability of decay per nucleus in unit time.
Nuclear Fission02:50

Nuclear Fission

Many heavier elements with smaller binding energies per nucleon can decompose into more stable elements that have intermediate mass numbers and larger binding energies per nucleon—that is, mass numbers and binding energies per nucleon that are closer to the “peak” of the binding energy graph near 56. Sometimes neutrons are also produced. This decomposition of a large nucleus into smaller pieces is called fission. The breaking is rather random with the formation of a large number of different...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
10:42

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh

Published on: May 3, 2019

Nuclear decay techniques in ion chemistry.

F Cacace

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |October 19, 1990
    PubMed
    Summary

    Spontaneous radioactive decay creates unique, counterion-free ions. This nuclear process allows studying ion reactivity across diverse environments, from gases to solutions.

    Area of Science:

    • Nuclear Chemistry
    • Physical Chemistry
    • Ion Chemistry

    Background:

    • Spontaneous decay of radioactive atoms produces ions.
    • This process is independent of environmental factors.
    • It allows for the generation of well-defined, counterion-free ions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the production of unique ionic species.
    • To structurally characterize free ions.
    • To compare ion reactivity in various media.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilizing nuclear decay techniques.
    • Investigating ion generation in gas, liquid, and solid phases.
    • Analyzing ion structure and reactivity.

    Main Results:

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    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

    Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
    10:42

    Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh

    Published on: May 3, 2019

    Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F−
    06:53

    Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F−

    Published on: July 27, 2018

    A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer
    07:52

    A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer

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    • Successfully generated well-defined, counterion-free ions.
    • Demonstrated the environmental insensitivity of the ionization process.
    • Enabled comparative reactivity studies across different phases.

    Conclusions:

    • Nuclear decay is a powerful tool for ion production and characterization.
    • This method provides unique insights into ion behavior in diverse environments.
    • Facilitates the study of otherwise inaccessible ionic species and their reactivity.