CHEM 312 Final Exam

Posted 9-Dec-13
Comment by 13-Dec-13

Issues and topics related to radiochemistry are commonly found in the news.  Recent examples include the nuclear deal with Iran related to proliferation and the missing ⁶⁰Co source in Mexico.  The material and topics covered in the course should provide you with data and information to discuss these and other news items in more detail.

CNN recently showed Pandora’s Promise, a short movie on nuclear power.  Please review the movie and provide comments on the blog.  Your comments should include you overall opinion, comments on previous blogs posts, and some analysis or evaluation of presented topic matter based on material covered in the course. 

Pandora’s promise can be viewed at

http://alivemindcinema.com/pandoraspromise/

ticket number: radchemfinal

The location to enter the ticket number is under the watch now menu item.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Lecture 9, Part 2: Nuclear Reactions

The second part of the nuclear reactions lecture is posted.  This section covers the mechanisms and energy ranges of nuclear reactions of interests to radiochemists.  The lecture begins with scattering reactions, moves to low energy reactions, high energy reactions, then completes with photon based interactions.  High  energy reactions include spallation products, induced fission, and compound nucleus reactions.  The lecture ends with a discussion on reactions involved in the nucleosynthesis of elements.  

Lecture 9, Part 1: Nuclear Reactions

The first part of the lecture on nuclear reactions is posted.  The lecture begins with a general definition of terms describing nuclear reactions. An example of energetics is provided using the reaction of alpha particles on nitrogen.  A description of cross sections is provided.  This includes how cross sections can be larger than the relative nucleus area.  The first lecture ends with a description of how cross sections can be experimentally measured.

Lecture 8: Nuclear Models

This lecture covers nuclear force and nuclear models.  For nuclear force, a description of the strong force, how it is attractive, and how it equally effects neutrons and protons is provided.   Charge independent force in the strong force is described with mirror nuclei.  Information on the shell model is provided, covering how it is developed and the splitting of levels.  Trends in nuclei, magic numbers, and the role of unpaired nucleons are described.  The use of the shell model to determine the spin and parity of odd A and odd-odd nuclei is given.  Examples are provided for a number of nuclei types.  The use of the Nilsson diagram to determine oblate or prolate nuclear deformation is given.  The lecture ends with a description of the Fermi gas model for excited nuclei.

Lecture 7: Fission

A general overview of nuclear fission is presented. Fission is described based the shell model, reaction energetics, and mechanisms within the nucleus. Spontaneous fission and fissioning isomers are presented. Fission product distributions are discussed, including role of energy and fissioning isotope. The total kinetic energy, mass distribution, and charge distribution during fission are presented. Delayed neutrons from fission and their role in reactors are given. Proton induced fission is introduced.

Please bring homework to the lecture on 24 October or submit by e-mail.

Test 2: Lecture 3: Decay Kinetics, Lecture 4: Alpha Decay, Lecture 5: Beta Decay, Lecture 6: Gamma Decay

The 2nd quiz is posted at http://radchem.nevada.edu/classes/chem312/quizzes.html.  The quiz will be discussed in the next class meeting on 17 October 2013. Questions related to the quiz can be posted here.  Responses to all questions will be posted on the blog.

Lecture 6: Gamma Decay

Gamma decay, the de-excitation of excited nuclei, is described in this lecture. Different methods to find data on gamma decay yields for specific isotopes are presented. The energetics involved in gamma decay are provided including recoil from gamma. 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, which exploits recoil, is discussed.

The homework question can be returned by e-mail or submitted in class on 8 October.

Lecture 5: Beta Decay

This lecture presents Beta decay. The observations from beta decay are used as the basis of the neutrino hypothesis.  The decay spectra from beta emission is used to develop models.  The impact of Coulomb interactions on positron and electron spectral shape is presented. This discussion is used to explain the develop of models to evaluate decay constants. Selection rules in beta decay and beta transitions are explained, and coupled to spin and parity difference between the parent and daughter states.  Log ft calculations are presented as a means to evaluate transitions. Double beta decay and delayed neutron emission from beta decay are introduced.

Homework questions from the end of this lecture are due in class or can be returned by e-mail on 1 October.  

Lecture 4: Alpha Decay

This lecture discusses alpha decay in radionuclides and provides the basic information to develop alpha decay theory. Systematics and energetics involved in alpha decay are presented and used to describe the nucleus. The correlation between Q value and decay energy is described. Tunneling is introduced as a concept in alpha decay. Hindered alpha decay is discussed. Proton and other charged particle emission are presented.

The homework question at the end of this lecture can be e-mail or returned during the next class meeting on 23 September.  

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Test 1: Lecture 1 (Introduction) and Lecture 2 (Nuclear Properties)

The 1st quiz is posted at http://radchem.nevada.edu/classes/chem312/quizzes.html.  You should be prepared to discuss the quiz during the class meeting on 24 September. Questions related to the quiz can be posted here.  Responses to all questions will be posted on the blog.

Lecture 3, Part 2: Radioactive Decay Kinetics

The equations described in part 1 are explored in more detail in part 2.  Growth and decay of parent and daughter isotopes are presented.  This is extended to multiple decays, with the Bateman equation given and a link to a code to solve the Bateman equation provided.  Equations utilizing cross sections to determined rate of isotope production are provided.  Saturation factors to account for the decay of the produced isotope are provided.  The use of isotopes in dating is described, with examples provided for ²³⁸U, ¹⁴C and the Oklo reactor.

The homework question at the end of this lecture can be e-mail or returned during the next class meeting on 23 September.  

Lecture 3, Part 1: Radioactive Decay Kinetics

The first part of the lecture on radioactive decay kinetics is posted.  This lecture provides four basic equations that are often used in radiochemistry.  The equations to evaluate error from count data is provided.  Relationships between initial amount of a radionuclide and amount at a given time is described.  Equations to determine activity from the decay constant and number of radioactive nuclei are given.  Please comment on the blog when you have completed the this lecture.

Lecture 2: Nuclear properties

The lecture on nuclear properties is posted.  Please provide comments and questions related to this lecture.   The homework on the final page can be returned by e-mail or submitted during the next class meeting on this lecture, Tuesday 3-September-13.  

Element 115 confirmation

Read about the confirmation of element 115

Lecture 1: Introduction and Chart of the nuclides

Please provide comments and questions related to Lecture 1.  Indicate completion of listening assignment.  The power point with audio was posted 26-Aug-13.  The homework on the final page can be returned by e-mail or submitted during the next class meeting on Tuesday 3-September-13.  

Introduction

Blog for CHEM 312:  Radiochemistry