CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2017: Lecture 9 Nuclear Reactions

The lecture on nuclear reactions is presented in two parts. Nuclear reaction notation is introduced. The role of energetics in nuclear reactions is discussed and evaluated, including Q value, reaction barriers, and threshold energy. Center of mass and laboratory frames are discussed. The different processes involved in the formation of isotopes is provided including photonuclear processes. Reaction energetics, mechanisms and types are described. Nuclear reaction cross sections are described, with a presentation on values and limits given. This includes role of angular momentum in cross section values. The stellar production of elements is presented in terms of nuclear reactions. These provide the basis for understanding the formation of isotopes in stars. Part one is 27 minutes, part 2 is 36 minutes.   The lecture is assigned on Monday 30 January 2017 and due Saturday 4 February 2017. 

CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2017: Lecture 8 Nuclear Force, Structure, and Models

This lecture provides information on nuclear force and nuclear models. The strong force is introduced through isospin. A comparison of exchange particles is provided. The use of mirror nuclei to examine the strong force is presented. An overview of nuclear potentials is provided and used to discuss the shell model. States of the shell model and their relationship to magic numbers are discussed. Use of the shell model is determine nuclide spin and parity is presented. The relationship between spin and parity with nuclear deformation is introduced with Nilsson diagrams. Additional information on Nilsson diagrams can be found in the Table of the Isotopes. An introduction of the Fermi model for energetic nuclei is given. The lecture length is 53 minutes.  The lecture is assigned on Friday 27 January 2017 and the PDF quiz is due Wednesday 1 February 2017.

CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2017: Lecture 7 Fission

A general overview of nuclear fission is presented.  The probability of fission is described based on developed models including the liquid drop model and shell corrections.  Discussion on spontaneous fission and fissioning isomers is given.  The transition nucleus and fission product distributions are discussed.  The total kinetic energy, mass distribution, and charge distribution during fission are presented. Changes in fission product distribution with parent properties are introduced. Delayed neutrons from fission and their role in reactors are given. Proton induced fission is introduced. The lecture time is 41 minutes.  The lecture is assigned on Monday 23 January 2017 and due Saturday 28 January 2017.

CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2017: Lecture 6 Gamma Decay

Gamma decay is described in two lectures. The first lecture covers the fundamentals of gamma decay and second lecture describes Moessbauer spectroscopy.  Different methods to find data on gamma decay yields for decay of isotopes are presented. The energetics involved in gamma decay are provided. This includes recoil from gamma, which is exploited in Moessbauer spectroscopy.  Decay types in gamma transitions are explained, focusing on electromagnetic basis for the gamma emission.  Transition probabilities and internal conversions inherent to gamma decay are covered. Isotope examples for internal conversion electrons are given.  Angular correlations in gamma decay are described with an experimental example provided. The use of gamma decay in Moessbauer spectroscopy is discussed. Part 1 is 34 minutes and part 2 is 28 minutes.  The lecture is assigned on Friday 20 January 2017 and due Wednesday 25 January 2017.

CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry Winter 2017 Exam 1

EXAM 1 is now available

Exam 1 answers will be posted.

Assigned: 19-Jan-17 

1st Due Date: 24-Jan-17                  

2nd Due Date:  27-Jan-17     

The first iteration of the exam is due 24-Jan-17.  The answers will be posted on 25-Jan-17.  Any incorrect answers can be resubmitted by 27-Jan-17. Changed answers will be worth 50 % of the original grade.  For the 2nd resubmission the work related to the changes must be shown.  Please post all questions to the blog (Links to an external site.).

There will be an in class meeting on Monday 23 January.  This quiz covers:                          

Lecture 1:  Introduction, Chart of the Nuclides

Lecture 2:  Nuclear Properties

Lecture 3:  Decay Kinetics

Lecture 4:  Alpha Decay

Lecture 5:  Beta Decay

Use lecture notes, textbooks, Chart of the Nuclides, Table of the Isotopes, and web pages.  Use the chart of the nuclides as your primary dataset for isotope half-life.   Show your work or references on a separate page and save electronically.  Please use 3 significant digits for your answers.

CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2017: Lecture 5 Beta Decay

Beta decay is presented in this lecture. The neutrino hypothesis and its relationship with beta decay is discussed. A review of Q value calculations for beta decay is provided.  The importance of spin and parity, and how it can be used to assess beta decay, is discussed. Modeling beta decay through the weak force is provided. The impact of Coulomb interactions on positron and electron spectral shape is presented.  The use of Kurie plots in understanding beta decay is introduced.  Selection rules in beta decay and beta transitions are explained. Calculating logft and its relation to spin and parity are presented. Double beta decay is discussed. The lecture time is 48 minutes.  The lecture is assigned on Wednesday 18 January 2017 and due Monday 23 January 2017.

CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2017: Lecture 4 Alpha Decay

This lecture discusses alpha decay in radionuclides.  Theories on alpha decay are presented. Systematics and energetics involved in alpha decay are presented.  The correlation between Q value and decay energy is described.  The Geiger Nuttall relationship is provided, described, and utilized in a model for alpha decay. Tunneling is also exploited to described alpha decay, coupling energy and half-life.  Gamow calculations are shown to reflect the Geiger Nuttall relationship. Hindered alpha decay is discussed. Hindered alpha decay is employed to described nuclear properties. Hinderance factors are described, along with how they are calculated and where they can be found. Proton and other charged particle emission are presented. The lecture time is 50 minutes.  The lecture is assigned on Friday 13 January 2017 and due Wednesday 18 January 2017. 

CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2017: Lecture 3 Decay Kinetics

This lecture covers the fundamental equations that describe the decay of radionuclides. Basic equations and their utility are presented.  Equations for mixtures, equilibrium, and branching of radionuclides are covered.  Examples are provided for error evaluation from counts, activity determination, evaluation of half life, and lifetime of isotopes. Discussion of natural radiation and dating are given. Examples are provided for dating from 238U, 14C, and the Oklo reactor. The lecture time for part 1 is 44 minutes. Part 2 is around 58 minutes.

The lecture is assigned on Monday 9 January 2017 and due Saturday 14 January 2017.

CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2017: Lecture 2 Nuclear Properties

A discussion on systematics of nuclear properties are presented.  Mass, mass excess, and mass distribution within the nucleus is presented.   Mass excess data are used to calculate energies in decays.  Equations for determining nuclear radii are provided.  Models that are used to describe the stability of nuclei are introduced.  Nuclear shapes and structures are introduced. The lecture time is 48 minutes.  There is a 3 minute supplemental lecture on the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) Q-value calculator (Links to an external site.).  The Russian site Q-value calculator (http://nrv.jinr.ru/nrv/webnrv/qcalc/ (Links to an external site.)) has recently been unreachable.

The lecture is assigned on Friday 6 January 2017 and due Wednesday 11 January.

CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2017: Lecture 1 Introduction and Chart of the Nuclildes

The class outcomes, expectations, and grading are explained.  A history of radioelement discovery and radiation research is presented. The Chart of the Nuclides and Table of the Isotopes are discussed and used.  Atomic properties, nuclear nomenclature, X-rays, types of decays and physical forces are introduced. Part one viewing time is 44 minutes, part 2 viewing time is 43 minutes.

The lecture is assigned on Tuesday 3 January 2017 and due Sunday 8 January 2017. 

CHEM 418 Nuclear Chemistry, Winter 2017: Lecture 0 Online presentation methods

Using the online lecture format is presented. The lectures are available as notes without audio or animation, PowerPoint audio and animation, and MP4 video. Please review the MP4 format, as it has the smallest file size and is preferred if suitable. The use of multiple formats should permit viewing of lectures on a host of platforms.  The MP4 format can be viewed with audio in Canvas.  The PowerPoint audio can be viewed after downloading. The lecture is 4 minutes.  

The lecture is assigned on Tuesday 3 January and due Wednesday 4 January.