CINCH NucWik

User Tools

Site Tools

You are here: NucWik » Textbooks » NRC Textbook - Basics of Nuclear Physics and of radiation detection and measurement » 2. The structure of atom and nucleus - nuclides, isotopes, isobars – nuclide charts and tables

Sidebar

CINCH project

NRC Network

CINCH Hub

textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision 		Previous revision
textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2 [2025-03-13 13:02]
Merja Herzig 		textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2 [2025-05-07 15:08] (current)
Merja Herzig
Line 13: Line 13:
 {{anchor:neutron}} {{anchor:neutron}}
 {{anchor:proton}} {{anchor:proton}}
 +{{anchor:atomic_number}}
 +{{anchor:mass_number}}
 +{{anchor:nucleon}}
 ### ###
-Atomic ''nucleus'' consists of ''protons'' ($p$) and ''neutrons'' ($n$), together these nuclear particles are called ''nucleons''. Protons are positively charged, having a charge of one unit (+1) while neutrons are neutral having no charge. The number of protons determines the chemical nature of atoms, i.e. of what elements they are. The number of protons ($''Z''$) is called the ''atomic number'' and it is characteristic for each element. The number of neutrons is designated by letter $''N''$ and the sum of protons and neutrons is called the mass number ($''A''$). Thus $A \, (\text{mass number}) = Z \, (\text{proton number}) + N \, (\text{neutron number})$.+Atomic ''nucleus'' consists of ''protons'' ($p$) and ''neutrons'' ($n$), together these nuclear particles are called ''nucleons''. Protons are positively charged, having a charge of one unit (+1) while neutrons are neutral having no charge. The number of protons determines the chemical nature of atoms, i.e. of what elements they are. The number of protons ($''Z''$) is called the ''atomic number'' and it is characteristic for each element. The number of neutrons is designated by letter $''N''$ and the sum of protons and neutrons is called the ''mass number'' ($''A''$). Thus $A \, (\text{mass number}) = Z \, (\text{proton number}) + N \, (\text{neutron number})$.
 ### ###
  
-### + 
-{{:playground:potential_diagram_fig_2_1_v2.png?400 |}}+ 
 +{{anchor:figure_21}}
 {{anchor:potential_diagram}}  {{anchor:potential_diagram}} 
 +
 +{{:playground:potential_diagram_fig_2_1_v2.png?400 |}}
 +
 Figure II.1. Potential diagram of an atomic nucleus. Figure II.1. Potential diagram of an atomic nucleus.
 +{{anchor:nuclear_force}}
 +
  
-In the nucleus the force that binds the protons and neutrons is the nuclear force that is far stronger force than any other known force (gravitation, electric, electromagnetic and weak interaction forces). The range of the nuclear force is very short; the space where it acts is approximately same as the volume of the nucleus. The nuclear force is charge-independent, so the $n-n$, $p-p$ and $n-p$ attraction forces are of same strengths, and short range means that nucleons sense only their nearest neighbors. Figure II.1. shows the [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#potential_diagram|potential diagram]] of a nucleus, i.e. the potential energy as a function of the radius of the nucleus. In the figure, the range of nuclear force can be seen as potential well outside of which there is a positive electric layer, potential wall, due to positive charges of protons in the nucleus. Any positively charged particles entering the nucleus have to surpass or pass this potential wall. For a neutron, with no charge, it is easier to enter the nucleus since it does sense the potential wall. 
 ### ###
 +In the [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#nucleus|nucleus]] the force that binds the protons and neutrons is the nuclear force that is far stronger force than any other known force (gravitation, electric, electromagnetic and weak interaction forces). The range of the nuclear force is very short; the space where it acts is approximately same as the volume of the nucleus. The nuclear force is charge-independent, so the $n-n$, $p-p$ and $n-p$ attraction forces are of same strengths, and short range means that [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#nucleon|nucleons]] sense only their nearest neighbors. Figure II.1. shows the ''potential diagram'' of a nucleus, i.e. the potential energy as a function of the radius of the nucleus. In the figure, the range of nuclear force can be seen as potential well outside of which there is a positive electric layer, potential wall, due to positive charges of protons in the nucleus. Any positively charged particles entering the nucleus have to surpass or pass this potential wall. For a [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#neutron|neutron]], with no charge, it is easier to enter the nucleus since it does sense the potential wall.
 +
 +###
 +
 {{anchor:electron}}  {{anchor:electron}} 
 ===== 2.2. Electrons ===== ===== 2.2. Electrons =====
Line 33: Line 45:
 Figure II.2. Atomic nucleus and the electron shells. Figure II.2. Atomic nucleus and the electron shells.
  
 +{{anchor:nuclide}}
 ===== 2.3. Nuclide ===== ===== 2.3. Nuclide =====
  
 ### ###
-Nuclide is defined as an atomic nucleus with a fixed number of protons ($Z$) and a fixed number of neutrons ($N$). Thus, also the mass number ($A$) is fixed for a certain nuclide. Nuclides are presented as elemental symbols having the atomic number ($Z$) on the lower left corner and the mass number ($A$) on the upper left corner.+Nuclide is defined as an atomic nucleus with a fixed number of [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#proton|protons]] ($Z$) and a fixed number of [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#neutron|neutrons]] ($N$). Thus, also the [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#mass_number|mass number]] ($A$) is fixed for a certain nuclide. Nuclides are presented as elemental symbols having the [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#atomic_number|atomic number]] ($Z$) on the lower left corner and the [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#mass_number|mass number]] ($A$) on the upper left corner.
 ### ###
  
Line 46: Line 58:
  
 ### ###
-Since the atomic number is already known from the elemental symbol, it is usually left away and the nuclides are presented as follows <sup>12</sup>C, <sup>18</sup>O and <sup>35</sup>S. Sometimes, especially in the older literature, the nuclides are marked in the following way C-12, O-18 and S-35.+Since the [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#atomic_number|atomic number]] is already known from the elemental symbol, it is usually left away and the nuclides are presented as follows <sup>12</sup>C, <sup>18</sup>O and <sup>35</sup>S. Sometimes, especially in the older literature, the nuclides are marked in the following way C-12, O-18 and S-35.
 ### ###
  
Line 53: Line 65:
  
   * stable nuclides   * stable nuclides
-  * unstable, radioactive nuclides, shortly radionuclides+  * unstable, radioactive nuclides, shortly [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter4|radionuclides]]
  
- 
-===== 2.4. Isotope ===== 
 {{anchor:isotope}} {{anchor:isotope}}
 +===== 2.4. Isotope =====
 +
 ### ###
-Isotopes are defined as nuclides of the same element having different number of neutrons. Thus the mass number of isotopes varies according to the number neutrons present. For example, <sup>12</sup>C and <sup>13</sup>C are isotopes of carbon, the former having six neutrons and the latter seven. These two are the stable isotopes of carbon with the natural abundances of 98.9% and 1.10%, respectively. In addition to +Isotopes are defined as [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#nuclide|nuclides]] of the same element having different number of [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#neutron|neutrons]]. Thus the [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#mass_number|mass number]] of isotopes varies according to the number neutrons present. For example, <sup>12</sup>C and <sup>13</sup>C are isotopes of carbon, the former having six neutrons and the latter seven. These two are the stable isotopes of carbon with the natural abundances of 98.9% and 1.10%, respectively. In addition to these, carbon has several radioactive isotopes, radioisotopes, with mass number of <sup>9</sup>C – <sup>11</sup>C and <sup>14</sup>C – <sup>20</sup>C, of which the best known and most important is <sup>14</sup>C.
-these carbon has several radioactive isotopes, radioisotopes, with mass number of <sup>9</sup>C – <sup>11</sup>C and <sup>14</sup>C – <sup>20</sup>C, of which the best known and most important is <sup>14</sup>C.+
 ### ###
  
 +{{anchor:radioisotope}}
 +{{anchor:deuterium}}
 +{{anchor:tritium}}
  
 ### ###
-Radioisotope and [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter4|radionuclide]] terms are often incorrectly used as their synonyms. Radionuclide, however, is a general term for all radioactive nuclides. We may, for example, say that <sup>14</sup>C, <sup>18</sup>O and <sup>35</sup>S are radionuclides, but we not should say <sup>14</sup>C, <sup>18</sup>O and <sup>35</sup>S are radioisotopes since radioisotope always refers to radioactive nuclides of a certain element. So, we may say, for example, that <sup>14</sup>C, <sup>15</sup>C and <sup>16</sup>C are radioisotopes of carbon. The two heavier isotopes of hydrogen <sup>2</sup>H and <sup>3</sup>H are most often called by their trivial names deuterium and tritium, designated as D and T.+Radioisotope and [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter4|radionuclide]] terms are often incorrectly used as their synonyms. [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter4|Radionuclide]], however, is a general term for all radioactive [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#nuclide|nuclides]]. We may, for example, say that <sup>14</sup>C, <sup>18</sup>O and <sup>35</sup>S are radionuclides, but we not should say <sup>14</sup>C, <sup>18</sup>O and <sup>35</sup>S are radioisotopes since radioisotope always refers to radioactive nuclides of a certain element. So, we may say, for example, that <sup>14</sup>C, <sup>15</sup>C and <sup>16</sup>C are radioisotopes of carbon. The two heavier isotopes of hydrogen <sup>2</sup>H and <sup>3</sup>H are most often called by their trivial names deuterium and tritium, designated as D and T.
 ### ###
  
 +{{anchor:isobar}}
 ===== 2.5. Isobar ===== ===== 2.5. Isobar =====
  
Line 75: Line 89:
  
 ### ###
 +{{anchor:nuclide_chart}}
  
 ===== 2.6. Nuclide charts and tables ===== ===== 2.6. Nuclide charts and tables =====
  
 ### ###
-{{ :playground:part_of_nuclide_chart_fig_2_3.png?200|}} A graphical presentation, where all nuclides are presented with neutron number as x-axis and proton number as y-axis (or the other way round), is called a nuclide chart (Figure I.3.). Stable nuclides in the middle part are often marked with black color. The radioactive nuclides are located on both sides of the stable nuclides, neutron rich on right side and proton-rich on the left. In this kind of presentation, the elements are listed on vertical direction while the isotopes for each element are on horizontal lines. The isobars, in turn, can be seen as diagonals of the chart. For each nuclide, some important nuclear information, such as half-life, is given in the boxes. More detailed nuclear information can be found in nuclide databases, some of which are freely available in the internet, such as http://ie.lbl.gov/toi/.+A graphical presentation, where all [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#nuclide|nuclides]] are presented with [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#neutron|neutron]] number as x-axis and [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#proton|proton]] number as y-axis (or the other way round), is called a //nuclide chart// (Figure I.3.). Stable nuclides in the middle part are often marked with black color. The radioactive nuclides are located on both sides of the stable nuclides, neutron rich on right side and proton-rich on the left. In this kind of presentation, the elements are listed on vertical direction while the [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#isotope|isotopes]] for each element are on horizontal lines. The [[textbook:nrctextbook:chapter2#isobar|isobars]], in turn, can be seen as diagonals of the chart. For each nuclide, some important nuclear information, such as half-life, is given in the boxes. More detailed nuclear information can be found in nuclide databases, some of which are freely available in the internet, such as http://ie.lbl.gov/toi/.
 ### ###
 +{{:textbook:nrctextbook:part_of_nuclide_chart_fig_2_3n.png?600|}} 
 ;;# ;;#
-Figure II.3. Part of a nuclide chart.+Figure II.3. Part of a nuclide chart. ([[https://chem.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/54195/Untitled.png?revision=1|chem.libretexts.org, nuclide chart]])
 ;;# ;;#
  
  
textbook/nrctextbook/chapter2.1741867357.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025-03-13 13:02 by Merja Herzig

Page Tools

A-CINCH Consortium

email: mst@evalion.cz | tel: +420 224 358 331 | Copyright © 2021 A-CINCH
This project has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2019–2020 under grant agreement No. 945301.