20.3 Spontaneous Routes of Nuclear Decay, Fission, & Fusion | General Chemistry

Chad describes five spontaneous routes of nuclear decay as well as fission and fusion in this lesson. This includes alpha decay, beta decay, positron emission, electron capture, and gamma decay. It is shown how to predict the product of each of these types of decay and which of these routes of decay is/are most likely for a particular nuclide. This is often determined by the atomic number of the nuclide (for large atomic number) and/or by the N/Z ratio (ratio of neutrons to protons). When the N/Z ratio is too high beta decay is likely. When the N/Z ratio is too low either positron emission (for lighter nuclei) or electron capture (for heavier nuclei) are likely.
Fission and fusion are also covered. Fission is the splitting apart of large nuclei into smaller nuclei and is the type of reaction occurring in our nuclear reactors using large nuclei such as uranium and plutonium. Fusion is the 'fusing' together of lighter nuclei and occurs at the core of a star and in hydrogen bomb explosions.
I've embedded this playlist as a course on my website with all the lessons organized by chapter in a collapsible menu and much of the content from the study guide included on the page. Check this lesson out at www.chadsprep.com/chads-gener...
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00:00 Lesson Introduction
00:31 Overview of the Routes of Nuclear Decay
01:30 Alpha Decay (aka Alpha Emission)
03:35 Beta Decay (aka Beta Emission)
07:28 Positron Emission
09:44 Electron Capture
11:45 Gamma Decay (aka Gamma Emission)
13:20 How to Predict the Route of Nuclear Decay
16:04 Fission and Fusion
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[@physiciansmind]

Chad, wanted to make a comment saying thank you for the content. I’m currently in organic chemistry at ASU and I’ve been watching some of your videos to prepare for my exam next week. Your videos helped a lot in general chemistry as well. Your channel is very beneficial for students!

[@ChadsPrep]

ASU huh? Can't tell you how much I miss that place! Glad all the videos have been helpful Curt; you are most welcome! 😊

[@angelomanfredini1993]

I would like to mention that another major difficulty of fusion power plants (which is very little talked about) is the difficulty of producing tritium, which is not found in nature and is currently recovered by nuclear fission power plants

[@pelebrapsgp]

Keep on the good job sir we do appreciate

[@ChadsPrep]

Thank you!

[@sciencenerd7639]

Helpful review, thanks

[@ChadsPrep]

Glad to hear it - you're welcome!

[@asylum2200]

Thanks man

[@ChadsPrep]

You're welcome!

[@chemmajor1188]

Hi Chad,
Since nuclear fusion requires so much energy from the surroundings, is it still considered an exothermic reaction?

[@ChadsPrep]

Absolutely is an exothermic reaction. consider the input of energy the 'activation energy,' and the energy subsequently given off is significantly greater. Hope this helps!

[@scitamil4193]

nice sir

[@ChadsPrep]

Thanks!

[@hannahnoellecook]

Why iron-56? Why is that the most stable?

[@ChadsPrep]

Iron 56 is the most stable due to having the lowest mass per nucleon (proton or neutron) in the nucleus as well as having a nucleus that is very tightly bound

[@sirenofamphitrite4612]

👍

[@ChadsPrep]

Thx

[@gundomuchocho1761]

life saver. that's it. that's the comment.

[@ChadsPrep]

Glad to hear it!