Page 500 - Chemistry eBook
P. 500
Types of Transmutations
• NATURAL TRANSMUTATION: When an unstable nucleus decays and changes into another element (spontaneous reaction)
The particle ends up on the right side of the equation.
238U 4He + 234Th 92 2 90
Unstable element
An unstable element decays into alpha particles and a new element.
I’m naturally right. With natural transmutations, the particle ends up on the right.
alpha particles + new element
• ARTIFICIAL TRANSMUTATION: When a stable nucleus is bombarded
with high-energy particles, causing it to decay (non-spontaneous reaction)
You will end up with a particle on the right side and also on the left side of the equation.
27Al + 4He 30P + 1n 13 2 15 0
Stable element + alpha particles new element + neutron
A stable element is bombarded with alpha particles, so it decays into a new atom and a neutron.
499 © UNIT 12: NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
