Nucleus properties studies with atomic

The number of protons in an element s atomic nucleus is called the atomic number, Z, of that element. For example, hydrogen has Z = 1 and so we know that the nucleus of a hydrogen atom has one proton helium has Z = 2, and so its nucleus contains two protons. Henry Moseley, a young British scientist, was the first to determine atomic numbers unambiguously, shortly before he was killed in action in World War I. Moseley knew that when elements are bombarded with rapidly moving electrons they emit x-rays. He found that the properties of the x-rays emitted by an element depend on its atomic number and, by studying the x-rays of many elements, he was able to determine the values of Z for them. Scientists have since determined the atomic numbers of all the known elements (see the list of elements inside the back cover). 

Hydrogen as it occurs in nature is predominantly composed of atoms in which the nucleus is a single proton. In addition, terrestrial hydrogen contains about 0.0156% of deuterium atoms in which the nucleus also contains a neutron, and this is the reason for its variable atomic weight (p. 17). Addition of a second neutron induces instability and tritium is radioactive, emitting low-energy particles with a half-life of 12.33 y. Some characteristic properties of these 3 atoms are given in Table 3.1, and their implications for stable isotope studies, radioactive tracer studies, and nmr spectroscopy are obvious. 

Stewart s conclusion underscores the need for short-wavelength, low-temperature studies, if very high accuracy electrostatic properties are to be evaluated by Fourier summation. But, as pointed out by Hansen (1993), the convergence can be improved if the spherical atoms subtracted out are modified by the k values obtained with the multipole model. Failure to do this causes pronounced oscillations in the deformation density near the nuclei. For the binuclear manganese complex ( -dioxo)Mn(III)Mn(IV)(2,2 -bipyridyl)4, convergence of the electrostatic potential at the Mn nucleus is reached at 0.7 A" as checked by the inclusion of higher-order data (Frost-Jensen et al. 1995). 

Exotic Nuclei and Their Decay. As reported by J.C. Hardy (Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories. Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd.), recent advances in nuclear accelerators and experimental techniques have led to an increasing ability to synthesize new isotopes. As isotopes are produced with more and more extreme combinations of neutrons and protons in their nuclei, new phenomena are observed, and the versatility of the nucleus is increased as a laboratory for studying fundamental forces. Hardy reports that, among the newly discovered decay modes are (1) proton radioactivity, (2) triton, two-proton, two-neutron, and three-neutron decays that are beta-delayed, and (3) 14C emission m radioactive decay, Precise tests of the properties of the weak force have also been achieved. 

Before beginning a discussion of nuclei and their properties, we need to understand the environment in which most nuclei exist, that is, in the center of atoms. In elementary chemistry, we learn that the atom is the smallest unit a chemical element can be divided into that retains its chemical properties. As we know from our study of chemistry, the radii of atoms are approximately 1-5 x 10-10 m, or 1 -5 A. At the center of each atom we find the nucleus, a small object (r 1-10 x 10-15 m) that contains almost all the mass of the atom (Fig. 1.1). The atomic nucleus contains Z protons, where Z is the atomic number of the element under study, Z being number of protons and is thus the number of positive charges in the nucleus. The chemistry of the element is controlled by Z in that all nuclei with the same Z will have similar chemical behavior. The nucleus also contains N neutrons, where N is the neutron number. Neutrons are uncharged particles with masses approximately equal to the mass of a proton ( 1 u). Each proton has a positive charge equal to that of an electron. The overall charge of a nucleus is +Z electronic charge units. 

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