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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 Natural Transmutation
• This is a non-natural transmutation. We do • This is a type of transmutation that occurs
this by bombarding the nucleus of an atom naturally and has emissions of Alpha, Beta
with high energy particles to bring about a or Positron radioisotopes
change • “emission” means that it is released or a
• there are two types of artificial product of the reaction
transmutation • Natural transmutation reactions also only
• To collide a charged particle (a proton or alpha have a single reactant
particle) with a target nucleus • Review the difference between reactants and
• To have a neutron collided with a target products
nucleus • example: 43 0 43
21𝑆𝑐 +1𝑒 + 20𝐶𝑎
• artificial transmutations have two reactants • This is releasing a positron and only has one
14 4 17 1 reactant, so this would be considered a
• Example: 7𝑁 + 2𝐻𝑒 8𝑂 + 1𝐻
• This has two reactants and involves a natural transmutation
change in the number of neutrons, so it
would be considered an artificial
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
Fusion
small nuclei combine
2H + 3H 4He + 1n + Energy
1 1 2 0
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