13. NUCLEI
The chapter explores the fundamental structure and characteristics of atomic nuclei, detailing their mass composition, isotopes, and the discovery of neutrons. It delves into nuclear binding energy, the forces within nuclei, and the phenomena of radioactivity, nuclear fission, and fusion, providing insights into energy generation, both natural and artificial, in the universe.
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Sections
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What we have learnt
- Nuclei are small, dense centers of atoms where most of the mass is concentrated, and contain protons and neutrons.
- Binding energy is crucial for nucleus stability and is measured in relation to mass defects.
- Radioactivity, fission, and fusion processes release substantial energy, impacting energy sources in nature and technology.
Key Concepts
- -- Nucleus
- The central part of an atom, which contains protons and neutrons, and accounts for most of the atom's mass.
- -- Isotope
- Variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
- -- Binding Energy
- The energy that holds the nucleus together, reflecting the stability of the nucleus and inversely correlating with the mass defect.
- -- Radioactivity
- The process by which unstable nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation, including alpha, beta, and gamma decay.
- -- Nuclear Fission
- A nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts, releasing energy.
- -- Nuclear Fusion
- A reaction where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process.
Additional Learning Materials
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