20.1 Introduction to Nuclear Chemistry | General Chemistry

Chad provides an introduction to Nuclear Chemistry, the chapter where we finally get past the electrons and talk about the nucleus. The symbols for all the common nuclear particles are presented (alpha particle, neutron, proton, beta particle, positron, gamma ray), and students are reminded how to find the number of protons and neutrons from the atomic number and mass number. The trend in penetrating power is also provided and explained.

Four guidelines for trends in radioactivity and then presented and explained:
1. Elements with atomic number greater than 83 are radioactive.
2. Nuclei having even numbers of protons and/or neutrons are more stable (less likely to be radioactive).
3. Nuclei having the proper N/Z (neutron to proton) ratio are less likely to be radioactive -- 1 for lighter elements and a little greater than 1 for heavier elements.
4. Nuclei having magic numbers (2,8,20,28,50,82,126) of protons and/or neutrons tend to be less likely to be radioactive.

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00:00 Lesson Introduction
00:33 Nuclear Particles and Symbols
06:32 Atomic Number, Mass Number, Protons, and Neutrons
10:33 Trends in Radioactivity

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