Natural Transmutation

Vs
Artificial Transmutation
Aim: what is the difference between natural transmutation and artificial
transmutation
Let’s watch something fun for a minute!
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UanTZDHVnz0
“Ms. Wiswall, why did you have us watch a
clip from Dragon Ball Z”
• I want you to get an idea of what a fusion reaction is; two reactants
coming together to become one product. Notice the amount of
“power” that was released. That power represents the neutrons
being released from the reaction.
What is Transmutation?
• Transmutation is when the atomic number of one element is changed
into the nucleus of a different element
Artificial Transmutation VS. Natural
Transmutation
Artificial transmutation
• This is a non-natural transmutation. We do
this by bombarding the nucleus of an atom
with high energy particles to bring about a
change
• there are two types of artificial
transmutation
• To collide a charged particle (a proton or alpha
particle) with a target nucleus
• To have a neutron collided with a target
nucleus
• artificial transmutations have two reactants
14 4 17
• Example: 7𝑁 + 2𝐻𝑒  8𝑂 + 1𝐻
• This has two reactants and involves a
change in the number of neutrons, so it
would be considered an artificial
transmutation
Natural Transmutation
• This is a type of transmutation that occurs
naturally and has emissions of Alpha, Beta
or Positron radioisotopes
• “emission” means that it is released or a
product of the reaction
• Natural transmutation reactions also only
have a single reactant
• Review the difference between reactants and
products
• example: 43 0 43
21𝑆𝑐  +1𝑒 + 20𝐶𝑎
• This is releasing a positron and only has one
1 reactant, so this would be considered a
natural transmutation
Learning check!
• Which one of these is artificial transmutation and which one of these
is a natural transmutation?
• 146𝐶  −10𝑒 + 147𝑁

4 27 30 1
• 2𝐻𝑒 + 13𝐴𝑙  15𝑃 + 0𝑛
Nuclear Fission
 Nuclear Fission
Fission is the splitting of atoms
These are usually very large, so that they are not as stable

Fission chain has three general steps:

1. Initiation. Reaction of a single atom starts the
chain (e.g., 235U + neutron)
2. Propagation. 236U fission releases neutrons that
initiate other fissions
3. Termination.
Nuclear Fission Animation
• https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-841717-stock-footage-
closeup-of-a-nuclear-fission-chain-reaction-animation-cgi-hd.html
Representation of a fission process.
 Nuclear Fission & POWER
• Currently about 103 nuclear
power plants in the U.S. and
about 435 worldwide.
• 17% of the world’s energy
comes from nuclear.
 Figure 19.6: Diagram of a nuclear power plant.
Parts of the nuclear power plant:

1. moderators: slows down neutrons

4
during a fission reaction (black bars in
the reactor)
2. Control rods: these are usually made of 2
cadmium and boron and serve to
absorb neutrons in the reactor
3. Coolants: this could be in the form of
water or molten sodium. This is used
to remove heat from the core of the
reaction. 3
4. Shielding: This serves to protect 1
employees and the outside world from
radiation; it is usually made of steel
and concrete
Nuclear Fusion

Fusion
small nuclei combine

2H + 3H 4He + 1n + Energy
1 1 2 0

Occurs in the sun and other stars

Fusion image
• Note: Deuterium is H-2 and Tritium is H-3*
Nuclear Fusion

Fusion
• Excessive heat can not be contained
• Attempts at “cold” fusion have
FAILED.
• “Hot” fusion is difficult to contain
Fusion Video
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n8OPDRsupw