1.2 Atomic structure and the nuclear model

Atoms are the building blocks of matter, consisting of a dense nucleus surrounded by electrons. Understanding their structure is crucial for grasping nuclear physics concepts, from isotopes to radioactive decay.

Nuclear properties delve deeper into atomic behavior, exploring stability, binding energy, and reactions. These concepts form the foundation for understanding nuclear power, weapons, and the processes that fuel stars.

Atomic Structure

Components of the Atom

Top images from around the web for Components of the Atom

• 

  Overview of Atomic Structure | Introduction to Chemistry View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Atomic mass - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  1.5 Electronic Structure of Atoms (Electron Configurations) – Inorganic Chemistry for Chemical ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Overview of Atomic Structure | Introduction to Chemistry View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Atomic mass - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Components of the Atom

• 

  Overview of Atomic Structure | Introduction to Chemistry View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Atomic mass - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  1.5 Electronic Structure of Atoms (Electron Configurations) – Inorganic Chemistry for Chemical ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Overview of Atomic Structure | Introduction to Chemistry View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Atomic mass - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Nucleus forms the dense central core of an atom containing most of its mass
• Protons carry positive charge and reside within the nucleus
• Neutrons possess no electrical charge and also reside in the nucleus
• Electrons orbit the nucleus in electron shells or energy levels
• Atomic number equals the number of protons in an atom's nucleus
• Mass number represents the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom

Atomic Structure Characteristics

• Protons and neutrons collectively referred to as nucleons
• Electrons occupy discrete energy levels around the nucleus
• Strong nuclear force binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus
• Electromagnetic force causes protons to repel each other but attracts electrons to the nucleus
• Neutrons contribute to nuclear stability by increasing the strong nuclear force without adding to proton repulsion
• Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons

Nuclear Properties

Isotopes and Nuclear Stability

• Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons
• Nuclear shell model describes the organization of nucleons into energy levels or shells
• Magic numbers (2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126) correspond to particularly stable nuclear configurations
• Binding energy measures the energy required to break apart a nucleus into its constituent nucleons
• Binding energy per nucleon generally increases with atomic number up to iron-56, then decreases for heavier elements
• Nuclear stability belt represents the range of stable isotopes on a chart of nuclides

Nuclear Reactions and Decay

• Radioactive decay occurs when unstable nuclei emit particles or energy to achieve a more stable configuration
• Alpha decay involves the emission of two protons and two neutrons (helium nucleus)
• Beta decay can be either beta-minus (electron emission) or beta-plus (positron emission)
• Gamma decay releases high-energy photons without changing the number of protons or neutrons
• Nuclear fission splits heavy nuclei into lighter elements, releasing energy and neutrons
• Nuclear fusion combines light nuclei to form heavier elements, releasing enormous amounts of energy (powers stars)