Nuclear reaction notation

In the discussion that follows we refer to nuclear activation detection reactions in lieu of analysis reactions since the signals that are measured are not necessarily always from a radioactive product. Again, we will use standard nuclear physics notation in specifying nuclear reactions, namely ... 

During the red giant phase of stellar evolution, free neutrons are generated by reactions such as C(a,n) and Ne(a,n) Mg. (The (ot,n) notation signifies a nuclear reaction where an alpha particle combines with the first nucleus and a neutron is ejected to form the second nucleus.) The neutrons, having no charge, can interact with nuclei of any mass at the existing temperatures and can in principle build up the elements to Bi, the heaviest stable element. The steady source of neutrons in the interiors of stable, evolved stars produces what is known as the "s process," the buildup of heavy elements by the slow interaction with a low flux of neutrons. The more rapid "r process" occurs in... 

Fig. 4.3. Nuclear reaction network. As an example, this figure shows the hnks established using nuclear reactions as a go-between during silicon fusion. Black dots indicate stable isotopes. The notation (x, y) is equivalent to x+A B + y, where x is the initial particle and y the final particle. (After Clayton 1983.)...

To discuss nuclear reactions effectively we must understand the notation or jargon that is widely used to describe them. Let us begin by considering the nuclear reaction... 

A shorthand notation has been developed for nuclear reactions such as the reaction discovered by Curie and Joliot. The parent (or target) nuclide and the daughter nuclide are separated by parentheses that contain the symbols for the particle that hits the target and the particle or particles released in this reaction. 

Because nuclear reactions involve protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, chemists use the notation in Figure 14.1 to show the composition of the nucleus. 

A compact notation for nuclear reactions is, for example, for Eq. (10.3.3) He3 (p, ft1) He4 this notation is not easily generalized for unusual stoichiometries. 

Before we learn more about the types of nuclear reactions, you should become familiar with the types of notation that are used for the particles that are common to nuclear reactions shown in Figure 6-5a on page 205. 

Fig. 3.5 Chlorination of group 6 elements from the oxidation state IV to state VI with SOCI2 in the presence of O2 [26], See the legend of Fig. 3.4 except for the nuclear-reaction-like notation of the chemical interactions used in the present Figure.

Write the shorthand notation for each of the following nuclear reactions. 

Nuclear equation The shorthand notation that describes nuclear reactions. It shows changes in the participating nuclides atomic numbers (the number of protons) and mass numbers (the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons). 

Interpret the following notational forms of nuclear reactions (a) 26pe(2n,P)27Co (b) 25Mn(n,Y)2sMn ... 

In the shorthand notation for nuclear reactions, the first symbol inside the parentheses is the "bombarding"... 

In the notation X(p,7)Y that represents the nuclear reaction X+p—>Y+7, the more important types of reaction, responsible for nuclear synthesis in stars, include... 

The short-hand notation for a nuclear reaction, recently employed by Gislason et for ion-molecule reactions, will be used when convenient. 

The preparation of At is described in the text in terms of the abbreviated nuclear reaction g3Bi(a,2n) g5At. Expand this notation into a full equation for the reaction. 

In Chap. 6 of Vol. 1, it was shown that sustained fusion reactions can only take place in a high-temperature thermal medium called plasma. It was also shown — and here it shall be repeated for convenience—that the most important nuclear reactions are at the present stage of research. Note that below (as throughout this chapter), element symbols refer to bare nuclei without the electron shell - a special notation common in the field of fusion. 

These are gamma-rays emitted during a nuclear reaction. If we consider the thermal neutron activation of cobalt, which in the short notation is expressed as ... 

Elastic scattering. In this process, the neutron strikes the nucleus, which is almost always in its ground state energy, the neutron reappears, and the nucleus is left in its ground state. The neutron in this case is said to have been elastically scattered by the nucleus. In the notation of nuclear reactions, this interaction is abbreviated by the symbol (n,n). 

This notation shows the isotope nitrogen-14 reacting with a neutron, n, giving off a proton, p, and forming the carbon-14 isotope other nuclear reactions can be deduced from this notation where x represents nuclear fragments from spallation. 

Bombardment reactions are often summarized in a terse form, such as Be(a,n). This means that the target (9Be) is bombarded by a particles ( He), and that neutrons (in) are produced. By the rules for balancing nuclear equations, we know that j=C also is produced. Give the complete balanced nuclear equation for each of the following transmutation bombardments (p stands for proton, and d stands for deuteron in this notation). 

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