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Related Concept Videos

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...
Nuclear Binding Energy02:13

Nuclear Binding Energy

The difference between the calculated and experimentally measured masses is known as the mass defect of the atom. In the case of helium-4, the mass defect indicates a “loss” in mass of 4.0331 amu – 4.0026 amu = 0.0305 amu. The loss in mass accompanying the formation of an atom from protons, neutrons, and electrons is due to the conversion of that mass into energy that is evolved as the atom forms. The nuclear binding energy is the energy produced when the atoms’ nucleons are bound together;...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution01:14

Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution

Near absolute zero temperatures, in the presence of a magnetic field, the majority of nuclei prefer the lower energy spin-up state to the higher energy spin-down state. As temperatures increase, the energy from thermal collisions distributes the spins more equally between the two states. The Boltzmann distribution equation gives the ratio of the number of spins predicted in the spin −½ (N−) and spin +½ (N+) states.
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.
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Types of Radioactivity03:23

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Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films
12:22

Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films

Published on: November 9, 2015

Alpha-plutonium's Grüneisen parameter.

Hassel Ledbetter1, Andrew Lawson, Albert Migliori

  • 1Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. Hassel.Ledbetter@colorado.edu

Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal
|March 10, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The Grüneisen parameter (γ) for alpha-plutonium shows unusual variability, with new estimates ranging from 3.2 to 9.6. Researchers recommend a value of γ = 3.7 ± 0.4, which is higher than typical elemental metals.

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Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
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Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Published on: December 14, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Thermodynamics

Background:

  • The Grüneisen parameter (γ) is a fundamental material property relating thermal expansion to bulk modulus.
  • Reported Grüneisen parameters for alpha-plutonium exhibit unusually wide variability (3.0–9.6), exceeding typical uncertainties.
  • Understanding this parameter is crucial for predicting material behavior under varying temperature and pressure conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and refine the Grüneisen parameter (γ) for alpha-plutonium.
  • To reconcile the wide range of previously reported γ values.
  • To establish a reliable estimate for alpha-plutonium's Grüneisen parameter.

Main Methods:

  • Calculated six new Grüneisen parameter estimates using diverse methodologies.
  • Applied Grüneisen's rule and thermodynamic models (Einstein, Debye).
  • Analyzed bulk modulus temperature dependence and zero-point energy contributions.

Main Results:

  • New estimates for the Grüneisen parameter (γ) of alpha-plutonium ranged from 3.2 to 9.6.
  • Identified and disregarded high estimates influenced by 5f-electron delocalization effects.
  • Recommended a Grüneisen parameter value of γ = 3.7 ± 0.4 for alpha-plutonium.

Conclusions:

  • The recommended Grüneisen parameter (γ = 3.7 ± 0.4) for alpha-plutonium is notably higher than for most elemental metals.
  • The variability in γ is partly attributed to complex electronic behavior in plutonium.
  • This refined value provides a more accurate basis for thermodynamic calculations involving alpha-plutonium.