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Lecture13 PDF

This document summarizes a lecture on alpha decay in PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics. It introduces alpha decay, where a nucleus decays by emitting an alpha particle (helium nucleus). It discusses characteristics of alpha decay like the particles involved and typical energy released. The document also examines an example of alpha decay in Uranium-230, calculating the expected kinetic energies. Finally, it previews topics for the next class like a quantum theory of alpha decay and selection rules.

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Nadiisah NurulInayah
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135 views11 pages

Lecture13 PDF

This document summarizes a lecture on alpha decay in PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics. It introduces alpha decay, where a nucleus decays by emitting an alpha particle (helium nucleus). It discusses characteristics of alpha decay like the particles involved and typical energy released. The document also examines an example of alpha decay in Uranium-230, calculating the expected kinetic energies. Finally, it previews topics for the next class like a quantum theory of alpha decay and selection rules.

Uploaded by

Nadiisah NurulInayah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics


Lecture 13: Introduction to α Decay

Prof. Kyle Leach

October 10, 2019


Slide 1
PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Last Week...

• We formally introduced the concept of radioactive decay


• Radioactive decay is a statistical process governed by the
radioactive decay law
• Production of radioactivity and decay chains can also be
described using these coupled differential equations.

Slide 2 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics


PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

α Decay

A
Z XN →A−4
Z−2 V N−2 +4
2 He2 + Qα

Slide 3 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics


PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Some Characteristics of α Decay


1 It is governed by the combination of the strong nuclear force and
the electromagnetic force in an analogous way to spontaneous
fission.
2 It typically occurs in heavy nuclei, with the lightest observed
systems to α decay being 106−110 Te.
3 α decay Q values are roughly 5-7 MeV, with very little variation.

Slide 4 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics


PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

α Decay Chains
This decay mode happens mostly for heavy nuclei, and since there
are many unstable systems in this region, we often have to consider
decay chains. We won’t do this in class, but it follows exactly the
same decay statistics that we learned how to do last class! Keep that
in mind...

Slide 5 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics


PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

α Decay of 230 U
To understand this process, we’ll take the approach of an
experimentalist....

230 226
U → Th + α
M(230 U) =230.033927 u
M(226 Th) =226.024891 u
M(α) =4.002603 u

Ok, so what particle energies would we expect to observe in our


experiment? We can sub in the above to our derived conservation
expressions.

Slide 6 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics


PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

α Decay of 230 U
Q: What particle energies would we expect to observe in our experiment?

230 226
U → Th + α

Tα ≈ 5.9 MeV





Kinetic Energies =
TV ≈ 0.1 MeV



The α particle carries away nearly all of the energy released in the
decay. It also turns out that the half-life for 230 U is significantly shorter
than some of the others we have looked at...perhaps we can use the
α decay energy to characterize this?

Slide 7 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics


PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

The Geiger-Nuttal Rule

Source: Heyde, Fig. 4.9

Slide 8 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics


PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

The Potential for α Decay

Source: Heyde, Fig. 4.8

Slide 9 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics


PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Quantum Tunelling and α Decay

Classical Treatment Quantum Treatment

Slide 10 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics


PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Next Class...

Reading Before Next Class

• Chapter 8 in Krane

Next Class Topics

• Midterm on Thursday!
• Assignment #2 is Due Thursday!
• Quantum theory of α decay
• α decay selection rules

Slide 11 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

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